Based on her 'duh' sort of behavior, and her inability to nab a meal worm unless someone else nabbed it first, I'm about 80% sure that either I have a runty blind chick, or perhaps behaviorally she's just dense beyond belief - and I'm leaning towards the former. I've posted about this runt chick before; it took me days to realize she wasn't eating, and two days to get her to where she could locate the feeder and water, and partake of them. But I've entertained myself feeding my tiny flock mealworms, and my runt's behavior screams 'I'm blind!'. Anyone else have/had a blind chick? Any advice? Will she be fine as long as she is kept in a pen & knows where the chow/water is? Any and all advice is welcome. I have stupidly fallen for this silly chick (Babette) and would like the little bugger to prosper despite her handicaps. Thanks.
She should be all right with the food and water in a pen. Just like with any other blind thing, make sure to not move the food and water, or add any 'new' obstacles to the pen. Keep everything in the same place. I don't think it's a good idea to keep her in a large group, she might get picked on. Find her a buddy that she can live her days with, and she should do just fine. I have never had a blind chick, but I have read of some people on here that have. I have a duckling that lost one of its eyes, but the other one works just fine. It just makes it easier to sneak up on the duckling.
I agree with Shelley. Are you sure she's completely blind? Even being blind in just one eye can seriously mess with their depth perception and make grabbing treats an ordeal. Have someone hold the chick for you and slowly move your index finger towards one eye and then the other. Does the chick blink when your finger gets too close? This is how we tested my half blind hen and found out which eye she is blind in. Handfeeding her treats meant I have a bruised hand at all times. It takes her at least ten pecks to zero in on the food. As a chick I offered her extra one-on-one feedings. Now as an adult, she free ranges with the rest of my flock and does quite well. In recent weeks she has had a problem with weight loss and just seemed out of sorts. She's molting, which I think is a little more stressful for her. A little extra TLC and she's bouncing back.
My duckling will turn around in a circle, when the others are standing still and looking. It's the only way she can see her surroundings fully. Other than being able to get snuck upon by me, she does very well. I know I'll never keep new-hatched ducklings with 1-2 week old chickens. The duck either got scratched or pecked and lost its eye
