Chick hatched 5 days ago. She is a BLRW. On day 2 I noticed it's eyes stuck shut. I posted here and warm compresses were recommended. I tried that and it worked to open the eyes. I have been having to do this with the chick several times a day since then. They stay open long enough for her to eat a little and drink. Since yesterday I have noticed she is not growing, feels thin, chirps a lot and is shivering occasionally even when under the heat lamp. I am wondering now if she is blind? If I take her to the water and put her beak in it then she drink and drinks and drinks. Once she moves away from it she does not go back to the waterer. If all the other chicks are eating and chirping around the food she will find her way over and eat but never moves to the food by herself. I have some medicated eye ointment from my vet and I have been applying tiny amounts of it to her eyelid when they are shut, then I apply the warm compresses. Our winter air is VERY dry here, in fact, my hands are chapped, cracked and bleeding. I am wondering if adding a humidifier near the brooder might help both of us?
I am open to any and all suggestions as to what to do to save this bird. I do not want to allow a blind chick to survive if that is what is going on. I hate watching my Lucy, who is blind in one eye, struggle to make her way through her day with the flock.
Please.
Mary
I am open to any and all suggestions as to what to do to save this bird. I do not want to allow a blind chick to survive if that is what is going on. I hate watching my Lucy, who is blind in one eye, struggle to make her way through her day with the flock.
Please.
Mary
