Possibly blind chicken, does this sound like Marek's?

[BigBlueHen53]

I appreciate all the input and support.

 

[natyvidal]

This is so sweet! Thank you for sharing this! I wouldn’t feed them bread though. It’s not good for them. I don’t know about wheat bread but I am assuming it is the same.

Thank you! The amount of bread is minimal. One slice of bread divided between 38 layers, 11 guinea hens and several young chicks. I use the wheat bread as a training tool to get them back into the coop when I am ready and to return to the chicken run every day after free ranging the property. I shred it into tiny pieces and swing it to different areas of the run.

Having said that; why is wheat bread bad for them? Aside from the fact that it should not be used as the main diet for them since bread lacks the nutrition, is there any other health reason?

I do have an African goose that when I bought him he was already 5 years old and was being fed whilte stale bread and cracked corn only. That was it. I changed that, he now eats good quality scratch, mixed with cracked corn and all flock feed. But, he still loves his bread! He will come up to me and start pecking at me in my behind to remind me to give him some. . He is really a carácter!

I am including pictures of my little Picusa. With the rooster George that favors her.

 

[azygous]

Is her eye actually blue or is that a reflection from something?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Here are pics of my hen showing the odd, white or grayish-colored, nearly opaque pupil I have described. In the afternoon sunlight, up close, her iris does not appear as dark as it has seemed to me from further away. I hope this helps, @Kiki, @Eggcessive, @azygous, @Wyorp Rock. The pupil in these pics is not reflecting anything, that is the actual way it appears.

 

[Kiki]

Have you brought any new to you birds home in the last few months?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The feathers around her neck do not reflect an injury, she is in molt. She does not appear to be grooming herself. Her feathers have a harsh, dry appearance. Around her tail on her back some feathers look short and curled very tight, just very unusual. I haven't seen her dust bathing. When she is out with the flock she just seems lost, she bumps into them, and they peck her, so she sticks to herself. I'm sad for her.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Have you brought any new to you birds home in the last few months?

Never. We are completely isolated as to other birds. And we don't have other people over, either.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If this looks like Marek's, it had to have come from wild birds.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is her eye actually blue or is that a reflection from something?

That looks like a reflection off the nictitating membrane.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I appreciate the helpful comments, everybody.