Rescued a chick with no eyes...help with food/water?

[lutz123]

So, while I'm looking things up on the internet, does anyone have any tips on caring for a very young chick that's missing it's eyes? It did sip a little water. I just brought it home from the feed store so I haven't figured her out yet. She is definitely smaller but looks to be more than a day old. I would be surprised if she's ever eaten - she's so lightweight. I bought 4 other chicks & 2 guinea keets. Is it okay to separate the other one out until it's stronger? It walks, but I can tell that she is weaker.

They gave her to me, unsure if she'd make it. I figured I would try to give her a chance.

 

[Diamond Wire Farms]

I have hatched a chick like this before. Sadly most of them die. I think most of the time the eye deformity is probably just the tip of the iceburg. (There must be more going on inside.) That being said, when I was researching I found several stories of chicks that survived. They take ALOT of care and commitment. For starters, get a needless syringe and start giving the little guy drips of water on his beak. Avoid the nostrils. The idea is to get him to anticipate/feel the drop on his beak and peck at it. You can also give him some Pro-vi-Sol without iron (baby vitamins) to help make up for his not eating. Make moist mix with chick crumble and dip his beak in it. Try not to move the location of the food or water in the brooder. (A small brooder would probably be best, so that he doesn't have to memorize much. Unless he is being trampled by the other chicks I would be reluctant to separate him from the others. Eventually, he is going to need to learn to follow them to find food and water. Good luck. Culling vs rescuing is always a very hard decision.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bless you for your caring heart, I hope it makes it

 

[Diamond Wire Farms]

Yes, no matter the outcome, just think that without you this chick would have likely died a long drawn out death at the feedstore.
In all honesty, most don't cull. I think lots of little chicks suffer and are found dead in the morning.

Your guy will know kind words and a warm brooder protected from trampling.

Luck headed your way!

 

[lutz123]

Thanks - I appreciate it. I don't have terribly high hopes, and am not emotionally invested (yet). I would feel better if she was pecking and trying to follow the others more. She more or less just stands there (or sleeps). I agree that there's a good chance there are more than eye problems but figured I'd give it a shot just in case. It certainly beat dying amongst 30 other chicks in the feed store! Of course, with all of that being said, my attempts at getting her to eat are more or less to help her find food and then hope she adapts. She will have to find a seeing buddy at some point.

 

[Diamond Wire Farms]

You can try to isolate her with one of the gentler but more vocal chicks.
Some of the success stories said that a full brooder may be too chaotic, and following around one chick may be easier to learn.

 

[Ms.Frizzle]

Pending this one being a female, and it someday growing up, would it ever lay? You know, because of how important light is to laying?

 

[lutz123]

Interesting thought on the laying - honestly though, I really don't care. We can only eat so many eggs. I now have 13 chicks, 2 keets, and 12 guinea eggs in the bator, and my initial intent was to hopefully end up with 4-5 hens, and 6-10 guineas! This one is in with the other 6 I bought today right now - just in a cardboard box. I'll consider combining some with the older ones if this one needs fewer companions.

To my surprise, this little chick ate some watery slurry out of a jar lid I held close to her. (By the way, I keep saying her because they are supposed to be all pullets - who knows what reality will bring.) I guess the little bit of syringe feeding and water helped. I'm interested in seeing what the outcome is. She looks like she is squeezing her eyes shut.

 

[Balbinka]

But two different types of ticking clocks next to the feeder and waterer.
If she makes it, she'll be able to hear the ticking and know if she is close to the feeder or the waterer based on sound.

 

[Thegrayeyedgirl]

How is the chickie doing?