Raising Blind Chicks

[Stephen Sharpe]

Thank you for NOT culling them - as you have discovered they are smart and learn. I wonder though if she would eat better if the food was moistened somewhat, so easier to eat. Babies usually love mashed hard boiled egg yolk and it is very good for them.

My wife and I take in chicks that would otherwise not have a chance. We don’t cull rather we take in those that would not pose a threat to the rest of the flock. If I am out and see one I will take it home and work on them. My wife had brought home a chick with Wryneck the same week we got this little one and she is all better now too after a little work.

 

[Stephen Sharpe]

As of today Mei Fun is eating almost totally on her own but we still take her out to let her kick around in a large bowl of food to fill up. She now is drinking compleatly on her own. She does this by holding onto her waterdish and slowly moves her head towards the water her toes are in. My largest concern would be her not getting enough water but she is good. As of today she is at 2.5 oz and has been increasing in size very quickly now. She has become very vocal when she wants our company vs. the 2 other chicks she is in boulder with. She seems to be following the direction of the other chicks when it comes to sleeping and wake time. She continues to seek quiet time in my shirt or under my chin when I get home and I’m wrapping up my work day.

 

[llombardo]

Absolutely love that they are loved.

 

[Stephen Sharpe]

Blind Chickens and Pecking Order:
Blind chickens can not fall into a pecking order. If you are raising a blind chick it will be important that you keep it with only a few chicks and it is important to watch for isolation and aggressive behavior from those with sight.
Since a large part of a pecking order is established with visual cues that other chickens will react to a blind chicken can only react to vocal cues. Alpha hens will expect submission from other hens under them with first a look followed by vocal tones. A chicken that is submitting will not look at the alph and will keep head lower as to show submission. A blind chicken can not understand this or react properly in a volitile situation. A blind chicken may create a stand off and will not be able to defend itself when attached.
When selecting a partner for a sightless chicken it may be wise to select a chicken/hen that has bottom status in a flocks pecking order. Breeds may known to be docile like Cochins and Silkies may be a good partner. In any situation observation of behavior and a subtle introduction is key. Chickens being social animals need more than contact a human can provide so it is worth investing in a partner.
Rosters and sightless hens do not mix. I would not recommend any interaction. A blind chicken may be able to pick up on vocal cues like tid-bitting or announcing location of food by a roster but physical contact by a roster may be perceived as a predator attack.

 

[Nathaniel Walton]

Blind Chickens and Pecking Order:
Blind chickens can not fall into a pecking order. If you are raising a blind chick it will be important that you keep it with only a few chicks and it is important to watch for isolation and aggressive behavior from those with sight.
Since a large part of a pecking order is established with visual cues that other chickens will react to a blind chicken can only react to vocal cues. Alpha hens will expect submission from other hens under them with first a look followed by vocal tones. A chicken that is submitting will not look at the alph and will keep head lower as to show submission. A blind chicken can not understand this or react properly in a volitile situation. A blind chicken may create a stand off and will not be able to defend itself when attached.
When selecting a partner for a sightless chicken it may be wise to select a chicken/hen that has bottom status in a flocks pecking order. Breeds may known to be docile like Cochins and Silkies may be a good partner. In any situation observation of behavior and a subtle introduction is key. Chickens being social animals need more than contact a human can provide so it is worth investing in a partner.
Rosters and sightless hens do not mix. I would not recommend any interaction. A blind chicken may be able to pick up on vocal cues like tid-bitting or announcing location of food by a roster but physical contact by a roster may be perceived as a predator attack.

I know its a long time since you posted this, but I just thought i would let you know that this isn't totally correct. I have a flock of 30 hens, and 2 cockerels and one of the hens ( a columbian blacktail) is blind. However, she is perfectly happy and I have never seen her being bullied by the rest of the flock as she seems to fit in perfectly (Apart from my pathetic silkie rooster who cannot get any ladies so turns to her instead )

 

[Stephen Sharpe]

That is awesome. We are lucky to have a Silky whom is the boss and so gentle with our hens. As we know each chicken is different and I wish we were in a situation that our current grown up Hen would is blind could join the flock even if just for a few hours a day. I appreciate the update and I was just throwing caution to the wind. With our new blind chick she has a compleatly different attitude and seems a little more out going and does not seem to get spooked as easily.

 

[Stephen Sharpe]

View attachment 1331964
As of today Mei Fun is eating almost totally on her own but we still take her out to let her kick around in a large bowl of food to fill up. She now is drinking compleatly on her own. She does this by holding onto her waterdish and slowly moves her head towards the water her toes are in. My largest concern would be her not getting enough water but she is good. As of today she is at 2.5 oz and has been increasing in size very quickly now. She has become very vocal when she wants our company vs. the 2 other chicks she is in boulder with. She seems to be following the direction of the other chicks when it comes to sleeping and wake time. She continues to seek quiet time in my shirt or under my chin when I get home and I’m wrapping up my work day.

May 1st and she has been doing great. Mei Fun has a round with some feather pulling on the back of the neck but they are growing in again good.

 

[Stephen Sharpe]

View attachment 1331964
As of today Mei Fun is eating almost totally on her own but we still take her out to let her kick around in a large bowl of food to fill up. She now is drinking compleatly on her own. She does this by holding onto her waterdish and slowly moves her head towards the water her toes are in. My largest concern would be her not getting enough water but she is good. As of today she is at 2.5 oz and has been increasing in size very quickly now. She has become very vocal when she wants our company vs. the 2 other chicks she is in boulder with. She seems to be following the direction of the other chicks when it comes to sleeping and wake time. She continues to seek quiet time in my shirt or under my chin when I get home and I’m wrapping up my work day.

May 1st and she has been doing great. Mei Fun has a round with some feather pulling on the back of the neck but they are growing in again good. View attachment 1371814

 

[Stephen Sharpe]

So I apologize it has been awhile since I have posted an update. Mei Fun has been doing very well and she has gotten big. She likes to just lounge around with us and does not care to much for other chicken company. Don’t know why she gets a little jumpy.

 

[Stephen Sharpe]