*UPDATE*Bantam chick hasn't opened her eyes. What to do? Please read.

[azhenhouse]

Last week I went to the feed store with a friend who bought several mixed Bantams. We observed a chick who was chirping non-stop. Her eyes were closed, and she was shivering something awful. They had just arrived from the post office to the feed store, and we thought for sure she was going to be one that wasn't going to make it. Well, I went back to the store today for some feed, and couldn't help but notice this chick chirping non-stop. I couldn't believe it, she was still alive. However, she has not opened her eyes in the week the feed store has had her. I think the only reason she is alive is because the lady who owns the store has been hand feeding the poor thing while she is at work. So, my long winded question is, will this chick be blind or is there anything that can be done for her? Can we help her open her eyes? If blind, what quality of life would she have? How would one take care of a blind chick. Honest answers, please. I want to know if it would be worth buying her or letting her go. Thx

Edited to say: I don't think she is sick, it seems like she has never opened her eyes. Can anything be put on them to open, or does this mean that she is blind?

 

[StephanieD]

Seems like if she was blind, she would HAVE to be a house-chick

 

[azhenhouse]

Yes, but how would she find food, etc?

 

[StephanieD]

I just went to SEARCH (up top in the blue) and typed in BLIND and checked the Search in "Topic Subject Only". Try that, I found quite a few threads about Blind chickens. Good luck.

 

[babyelle]

bump

 

[ChooksChick]

I've had chicks who had their eyes stuck closed and simply needed a bit of warm water on a qtip to help them get them open. It needs help, and if it can see, it'll likely eat and drink and find it's comfort zone for heat, and stop chirping!

I have also had blind chicks, and I've had to cull them.

 

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
Do you think after a week a Q-Tip would help, or would they be fused shut by now?

 

[StephanieD]

I guess you'd have to try! Can you post a picture? Does he look fully formed and normal otherwise??

 

[azhenhouse]

The little guy is still at the feed store. He looked just as healthy as the others, expect for his eyes being closed. I can't take on a blind chick, but if I thought his eyes could be opened/fixed then I would do it.

 

[ChooksChick]

I would take a wet paper towel with me to the feed store and give it a try. Just pull slightly downward on the lower lids after mopping them gently a bit- don't scratch the eyes with the towel.

I'm not supposing there's any reason they'd fuse.

There may not be eyes, though...just warning you. It's not unusual to have oddities like that, but it wouldn't normally have made it out of the hatchery that way, so I'm not guessing that's the case.

It probably just has them stuck shut.