Baby Chick with Bulging Eye

[greentomato79]

I have a Rhode Island Red chick about 3 weeks old. My father-in-law got 50 from a hatchery. About 6 days ago I noticed this eye problem. I had left her with the babies in the brooder, as she seemed to be doing okay, I suspected maybe a tumor, which unfortunately I can't do much about except keep an eye on her and try and use my judgment as to whether she is suffering and needs to be "let go", and I believe she is blind in the left "bulging" eye. I moved the chicks to their temporary indoor "coop" in the barn three days ago, she seemed to still be doing okay, but in the larger space I noticed she stayed off on her own. I sat with her for the first two days for a bit to make sure she ate and drank and she did, but did not eat much. She seemed to just stand on her own unless I was there, then she would sit on my lap and relax and sleep and eat and drink.

Today I decided to bring her home with me and see how she did. Now I will list my observations so maybe someone can help me diagnose her problem:

-Left eyeball is bulged out, note NOT the eyelid or surrounding area, but the actual eyeball
-Right eyeball seems somewhat "sunk in"
-Left eyeball is cloudy, but right one seems clear
-Generally keeps eyes closed as if sensitive to light but CAN open both eyes
-When left to stand alone, she tends to move in a circle in direction of right eye, but will move forward as well
-First poop I saw in coop was normal solid with white cap, brought her home, then she had one runny poop and the next two were normal again
-She ate and drank quite a bit when I brought her home, so her appetite seems to still be good
-She took time to do some grooming
-She very much enjoys roosting on me or anything else, but did not seek out a roost in the coop, I can only assume this is because she could not find her way around.

So, in summation, she does much better with my help of course, as far as I can tell. She is more relaxed and can sleep and groom and I help her to eat and drink. I am happy to nurse her and keep her with me, my concern is to whether she is suffering and I should just "let her go" and end it quickly rather than let her suffer. She seems to be doing very well though, with my help, so I am hoping someone here can help me identify what is wrong with her and if it is humane to continue to care for her.

By the way I have named her BECKY for BigEyeChicKY


BECKY sleeping: a good front on shot of both eyes



BECKY's right eye: looks a bit "sucked in"



BECKY's left eye: the bulging, cloudy one



This is my first post so thanks everyone for any help with this!

~Angie

 

[greentomato79]

Anyone able to help? Not many views yet, please look at the pictures to see if you can help.

 

[PoultryGirly]

My guess is a genetic defect. The bulging eye, because of the cloudiness, is most likely blind.

 

[chicken girl 13]

my hen suddenly got a swollen eye, what do I do?? She is a year and never had any problems

 

[Chickabit]

I have a buff orpington with the same condition, from hatch. The left eye looks just the same. I was putting antibiotic eye drop in, but they didn't seem to do anything. She is 6 weeks old now, seems to eat ok. I took her away from the other chicks that hatched with her and put her with one chick that hatched 2 weeks ago. She takes care of it, even tucking it under her to keep it warm. She doesn't seem to be suffering, but I am worried that it will get worse or cause some other problem. I will keep researching the condition, but am hoping someone has an idea of what to do for her.

 

[MA Mama]

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