What causes a chick to be born with no eyes?

[Germaine_11.20]

Hi,
Yesterday and today I have had chicks hatching. One of the Black Copper Marans was not looking quite right. It had a hard time getting on its tummy, had pieces of shell stuck to its back and I noticed a small red blob by its vent. After about 8 hours I snuck it out of the bator and that its when I noticed it does not have any eyes...
I got the shell off its back, the red blob is getting smaller, but it is never going to see. I know I should cull it right away, but I just wanted to see how it gets along with the others.
What causes that? Inbreeding is my guess, but I would like your opinion too.
I have another question but I will make a seperate post for that.

 

[Chicken Ninja]

Any number of things could cause this, but probably just the fact of genetic variation. We don't quite understand how, but you probably just got the unlucky draw on this one. Just like humans born with disabilities, it doesn't necessarily have a cause.

As for what to do with the chick, you should probably cull it. Living without sight for a chicken would be a hard and not very fun life.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yes, it is already all by itself. It can't find the others to cuddle with.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Thats too bad and as much as you hate it, you should cull it.

 

[FrenchHen]

My first chick cull was one exactly like that. Red blob, blind, pecked by the others, I was sad because it was so pretty.

I'm sorry you're in this spot.

 

[LilbitChicken]

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Thank you for the support. This is not going to be easy. The little sweetie is such a fighter. It just seems wrong, but I know it is going to suffer and never would make it without help.

 

[chickenbottom]

Quote:
i personally would see how it goes for a few weeks but its up to you
i know most say cull it but if its not in pain then why do it. why people let blind dogs grow up and love and charish them but not a blind chick its sort of the same thing isnt it? if its fighter then let it keep fighting good luck

 

[stuckinthecity]

well blind dogs use vibrations so they know a little about where you are and whats going on.
If you really wanted her to live you could feed/water with a eye dropper... im sorry though

 

[milleryardchx]

Someone else posted the same problem just a few days ago but a different breed. Its hard but you don't want a animal being picked on or eaten by a predator or have issues being part of the flock