Suddenly blind chicken. Please help!

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

So this morning when I went out to give my chickens feed and let them out of the coop I realized one of my chickens was having some issues. The ducks were jabbing at her and she was just running in a circle. I picked her up (which is usually harder to do), checked her eyes and both looked normal. However if I put my finger close to one eye, she would squint as anything would, but the other eye she wouldn't even know what was happening until I touched her eyeball. So she carried on through the day without too many issues. She just looked to the side trying to look forward. I really didn't know what had happened. But now when I went out there she was freaking out, flying up in the air and flipping around (looking like she was having a seizure). I went and got her and did the eye test, she did not realize my finger was poking her eyes at all. She didn't blink or nothing. Setting her down she ran ahead like 5 feet than ran back like 5 feet. She can kind of see my hand waving in front of her face because she moves away from it but I wonder if thats just the light changing that she's sensing. Im very worried for her and really dont know what to do. Her eyes look totally normal. I do have Mareks in my flock by the way. I tried leading her to water and food and shoved her beak in both and she did eat and drink. Anyone have any ideas???? Thank you in advance.

 

[Perris]

So this morning when I went out to give my chickens feed and let them out of the coop I realized one of my chickens was having some issues. The ducks were jabbing at her and she was just running in a circle. I picked her up (which is usually harder to do), checked her eyes and both looked normal. However if I put my finger close to one eye, she would squint as anything would, but the other eye she wouldn't even know what was happening until I touched her eyeball. So she carried on through the day without too many issues. She just looked to the side trying to look forward. I really didn't know what had happened. But now when I went out there she was freaking out, flying up in the air and flipping around (looking like she was having a seizure). I went and got her and did the eye test, she did not realize my finger was poking her eyes at all. She didn't blink or nothing. Setting her down she ran ahead like 5 feet than ran back like 5 feet. She can kind of see my hand waving in front of her face because she moves away from it but I wonder if thats just the light changing that she's sensing. Im very worried for her and really dont know what to do. Her eyes look totally normal. I do have Mareks in my flock by the way. I tried leading her to water and food and shoved her beak in both and she did eat and drink. Anyone have any ideas???? Thank you in advance.

We had a similar experience; I wrote an article about it that might give you some ideas how to deal with it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/raising-a-blind-or-partially-sighted-chicken.75986/
Our girl gets along just fine now btw

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

We had a similar experience; I wrote an article about it that might give you some ideas how to deal with it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/raising-a-blind-or-partially-sighted-chicken.75986/
Our girl gets along just fine now btw

Thank you! I realized this hen has always been easier to pick up as though she couldnt see my coming as clearly, once she did see me she didn't want to be held. So maybe shes never had perfect vision. I find it weird though that it got so much worse over the course of one day! She's still walking around this morning though. I tried to put her on the roosting bar and she flipped around and landed on her back. So no roosting bar for her. I think she can live with partial vision like yours. however ive got ducks that take advantage of her not being able to see or get away. And they nip at her back all the time. He's kind of a mean drake. Very good article by the way!!

 

[Chicalina]

you'll have to keep the drakes away from her or they'll rape her and damage her internally.

 

[addctd2plnts]

I've fostered blind dogs, though not had blind poultry. One thing I had great success with was pairing the blind dog with a kind buddy dog. We then added a bell to the seeing dog's collar and the blind animal quickly learns to stick with their buddy. Maybe it would work for a chicken too?

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

I've fostered blind dogs, though not had blind poultry. One thing I had great success with was pairing the blind dog with a kind buddy dog. We then added a bell to the seeing dog's collar and the blind animal quickly learns to stick with their buddy. Maybe it would work for a chicken too?

Oh neat idea thank you!

 

[Vickischics]

PLEASE!!!
YOU MUST Keep the Drake (male ducks) AWAY from your blind chicken and all of your female chickens. A male/Drake duck CAN NOT be permitted to mate with your chickens. A male duck/drake will damage/kill your chickens. Ducks have different mating abilities than roosters.
PLEASE REMOVE the chickens from your ducks.