Stunted/Blind Chick

[Gammond]

This chick is approximately 3 months old. The other chicks in her clutch? are fine and thriving.
She is with approximately 90 other hens and is doing fine - eats and drinks... However, she hardly opens her eyes and is stunted (around half the size of the others.).

Any recommendations? It doesn't seem to be contagious - just some sort of defect.

My husband wants to cull her but I can't go through with it, as she seems healthy! Maybe she's in pain though? I don't know.. I can walk right up to her and grab her, as she doesn't open her eyes!

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’m by no means a expert. Is it both eyes? Has she always been like that?? You say she eats & drinks with her eyes shut? Hard to tell from the photo is there any discharge from the eye or eyes? You say she’s small and with 90 other hens. Adults?

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’m by no means a expert. Is it both eyes? Has she always been like that?? You say she eats & drinks with her eyes shut? Hard to tell from the photo is there any discharge from the eye or eyes? You say she’s small and with 90 other hens. Adults?

Perhaps you could put her in a crate or hospital pen away from the others?

 

[coach723]

There appears to be swelling around the eye. Have you opened the eye and looked at it?
It could be an infection due to injury or debris in the eye.

 

[Gammond]

I’m by no means a expert. Is it both eyes? Has she always been like that?? You say she eats & drinks with her eyes shut? Hard to tell from the photo is there any discharge from the eye or eyes? You say she’s small and with 90 other hens. Adults?

It is both eyes, always beeen like that.. no discharge. I have seen them opening a BIT sometimes... so I'm assuming this is how she finds the water and food. She's with about 65 hens and 25 other chicks. We have a huge run and have never seen her get 'picked' on.

 

[Gammond]

There appears to be swelling around the eye. Have you opened the eye and looked at it?
It could be an infection due to injury or debris in the eye.

They are both like this. The eye seems enlarged almost? I will go check her out again later this evening.

 

[Gammond]

Perhaps you could put her in a crate or hospital pen away from the others?

I am not concerned about her as far as getting beat up or picked on.

 

[coach723]

If it's an infection and treated soon enough it might save her sight. If left untreated it may cause permanent blindness. She may be stunted because she's not able to get enough food due to lack of or limited vision. I'd get a good look at the eyes to see for sure what may be going on.

 

[MissChick@dee]

If it's an infection and treated soon enough it might save her sight. If left untreated it may cause permanent blindness. She may be stunted because she's not able to get enough food due to lack of or limited vision. I'd get a good look at the eyes to see for sure what may be going on.

It would be nice if you could isolate her

 

[Gammond]

If it's an infection and treated soon enough it might save her sight. If left untreated it may cause permanent blindness. She may be stunted because she's not able to get enough food due to lack of or limited vision. I'd get a good look at the eyes to see for sure what may be going on.

They are cloudy when I open them - and it hurts her. Any suggestions on medication I can use without taking her to a vet? Polysporin eye drops?