Something's wrong with one of my chickies!

[wbruder17]

I have one chickie that I hatched that is very healthy, big, eating like crazy and jumping all over Mama Silkie. I obtained one of her hatch mates from the guy I got my egg that hatched from.

The chickie I got from him is TINY. I have also noticed now that its eyes are messed up. One is almost non-existant and the other does NOT look right. The chickie, as far as I've noticed comparing it to the other chickie, does not eat, is very discombobulated and only wants to hang out under Mama. It cheeps very loudly when it is not under her and cannot seem to figure things out. Ie...what to do with the food, water etc.

Anyone have any idea what's wrong with it? What should I do? Is there any hope for it? I really want healthy chicks that will grow up to be healthy hens. Survival of the fittest? and do not want to interfere too much, but its hard to watch the poor thing. I won't kill it.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Teresaann24]

it sounds like he could be blind if it was me if you do not wanna cull it which most would do. Is to take it and care for it yourself. Meaning most likely having to hand dip its beak into water and show it where the food is. Good luck!

 

[BrattishTaz]

Have you brought it in to observe its behavior more closely? I would put it in a box/brooder with food and water and see if it is completely blind. It may stand a chance if it is only blind in one eye but that is not likely if both eyes are bad. Check and see if the "funny looking" eye is infected or has something in it. I had a cockeral with an eye infection that cleared up after I rinsed it with saline solution a few times. If totally blind you will have to decide if it is better to let it starve to death or cull. Most will say cull.

 

[wbruder17]

Mama and her 2 babies are already seperated in the basement. I would almost guarantee its blind. What would I feed it in the eye dropper if I chose to go that route? I've tried to feed it scrambled eggs and it wants none of that.

If I chose to cull... what is the most humane way? It may be starving.

 

[wbruder17]

Does no seem to be any infection or disease. No discharge etc.

 

[BrattishTaz]

The eyes are not swollen shut? You may be able to give it some sugar water to perk it up and maybe then it will be more interested in the food. It shouldn't take long for the sugar to kick in. I would try that first.

I am going to try to find a thread on culling for you. If we start the topic here it will turn into a war zone.

 

[BrattishTaz]

I just sent you a PM.

 

[wbruder17]

What is a PM?

 

[BrattishTaz]

Quote:
A private message. Look on the top of your page. There will be a notification in orange.

 

[wbruder17]

Ok, I went to my page and there is nothing in orange.