One-eyed chick, 5 days old. Need help!

[jessierose]

Hi all!
I have a precious chick who arrived with only one eye (there isn't even a spot for the missing eye) and an eye that doesn't open all the way. She seems quite perky when I can get some food in her and I really think she can see but I need to know how to get the most helpful foods into her so she might have a fighting chance.
Her name is Robbi and she is living in a pot on my bedside table right now with a heating pad and a warming light. I have given yogurt and sugar water. What else might help and how best to feed a somewhat weak little one?
I will add pics.

 

[jessierose]

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[jessierose]

 

[jjparke]

That is terrible. This doesn't look like something that it will grow out of. I would cull it. It will be trampled by others and always have difficulty getting to food and water. And you certainly don't want it to breed.

 

[jessierose]

I don't let any of mine breed. Her eye seems to be doing better and opens all the way today. I am going to give her a fighting chance. Unless my animals are suffering I don't cull. Nature/God/whatever-you-choose-to-call-it does some pretty amazing things. She might just make it. I have a 3 legged dog and had a blind horse and a one-eyed cat for years. They both adapted and were tougher than any of the others.
She probably won't make it but for now she is warm and dry and I would like to know what to feed her if anyone has any ideas.

 

[cobrien]

The best thing would be to tube feed her baby bird formula. ...Second best is to syringe feed baby bird formula, but you have to be very careful not to let them aspirate the formula by going very slowly. It is a bit dangerous in my opinion but in a life or death situation you might give it a try. You could make a puree of yogurt and pureed chick starter and syringe feed, but if you can get her to eat on her own there is less chance of her aspirating.

If you have any vet friends, bird rescues, or bird experts near you, maybe they could show you how to tube feed. It is easier than it sounds and a great thing to know how to do.