Blind Chick!

[the_kitchen__drawer]

I’m sorry if this is the wrong place, but I’m in need of advice. My mother just got 6 chicks from Rural King, and it seems by everyone‘s account one is totally blind. She’s finally beginning to settle down in the brooder, which means less screaming, more following the Sound of her sisters. But, I’ve never raised chicks. I’ve never raised a blind animals, and I’ve definitely never had a blind chick. What do I do! How can I make her life easier?

im making sure several times a day to place her by the food and water, giving her water drops through a dropper, like the kind you draw medicine with for little kids. She’s drinking happily, is obviously confused by the holes in the feeder, but manages to peck food out if it’s one another chick is in. Mixed sugar into their water, to help be sure they’re not crashing after shipment. One of the chicks seems to “guide” her, too. Her weight is not substantially less than her sisters.

what else can I do? If she lives, what will we need to change for her? We’re planning on more food and water stations. Culling is not an option unless she seems to decline. She’s a pretty feisty girl, and I’m going to give her the chance to show it. Please,fellow blind chicken owners, give me advice!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Pictures? Are her eye lids closed, or are they open?

Sorry, I've never had a blind chicken, so I won't be of much help.

However, just so you know, if she is permanently blind, she will be a special needs chicken, which is a lot of work (but if you're willing, you can do it!)

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

Pictures? Are her eye lids closed, or are they open?

Sorry, I've never had a blind chicken, so I won't be of much help.

However, just so you know, if she is permanently blind, she will be a special needs chicken, which is a lot of work (but if you're willing, you can do it!)

She doesnt look visibly blind, her eyes are very clear, just... non working. I’ll get pictures when I head up there again. It’s alright!
i know! But I’m totally willing to, even if my parents aren’t. Oh, no, another chicken.. whatever will I do? Oh no...

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

I just checked, there’s zero response to light with her pupuls

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

Missandrei (the chick) update. Got a whole syringe of sugar water into her, her guide chick came up and let her nuzzle under her wing, Missandei was at the food dish when I came in and refused being fed from my hand. I weighed her- she’s gained two grams since I did three hours ago. Seems like she’s fairing as well off as a new, blind chick can.

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

Going strong at a gained 5 grams! She’s got the whole watering routine down

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

So-So update.

this morning, she’d lost the 5 grams she gained. However, so did most of her sisters. I wonder if they didn’t eat over night? i saw her and the others at the dish, eating, and left them be.
but, when I weighed her 4 hours later, she’d lost another gram and was below her starting weight. That’s bad. Watching them eat, I now realize that because the crumble needs pecked and broken, but she can’t find the pieces that are broken. So she just gets, i think, discouraged, and gives up.

I’m not going to let her starve. So, I get her water (sugar water), some crumble, and mix it. I mashed it up until it was liquid-y, got her on my lap, and started dunking her beak in it. She gobbled it up, and when I made tapping noises, she did try to peck ,but she just didn’t quiet get it. So, syringe feeding it is. I got a couple milliliters into her, and that got her up to her original weight.

of course, this raises the concern she’ll become too dependent on me. But, she’s feisty, she wants to live. She’s dropping weight but she’s enthusiastic, loud, and affectionate. I’ll worry about depend when I’m out of the woods. In the mean time, does anyone with blind chickens remember how you got them to eat as chicks? I believe she can see very little shadows, as she closes her eyes when I shine the light for too long. But, it’s not enough.

 

[Callender Girl]

I have a blind rescue dog and a cat born without eyes, but I've never had a blind chicken. But I admire you for taking good care of her. Both of my sightless animals live perfectly happy lives because they don't know there's anything "wrong" with them.

As long as you continue to make accommodations for her, I think she could lead a good life. Don't worry about what comes next; take it one day at a time. Good luck!

 

[BesideStillWaters]

I have a blind chicken who was gifted to me when she was about 2 1/2 years old. She became blind around 3 months old, so I've never handled a blind chick. The main thing I've found is, always leave the feed and water in the same place if possible. Also, if I do need to move it, I can tap on the side of the dish and she understands the tapping sounds is the location the food is in and she will find it. I hope you can figure out how to get her to understand where the food and water is. Poor little thing!

 

[Callender Girl]

Great advice @BesideStillWaters! It's pretty much the same with my sightless cat and dog. I don't move the food or water dishes, don't rearrange the furniture and tap on the floor when I give them treats. You said what I SHOULD have said!