Blind Hen is there anything that can help her?

[kperki]

I have a hen that started acting a little off. She I was feeding her extra goodies and separated her. She would walk around a little and then just sit a lot in the garden. She was eating more and she eventually went back with other chickens. I noticed it was taking her longer to come in at night and then she would come so far and just sit and I would bring her in. After a couple of times of this I started watching and I realized she could not see. I put my hand near her eyes and no reaction. I separated her and put her back in the garden. I noticed her legs were weaker. She stands up a little bit and doesn’t walk far and uses her wings to brace her to sit down again. I was giving her poultry drenched and didn’t notice any change. I feel at evening when lights are low she can see a little bit. She will grab the corn kernel out of the dish and leave the pellets. I can bring my hand close to her face and she doesn’t flinch or anything. Is there a specific vitamin or something I could give her to regain her vision? Also anything for her legs? Does it sound like some type of vitamin deficiency? Her eyes have no discharge etc. there is not excessive smells in coop of ammonia etc. thanks for any help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a hen that started acting a little off. She I was feeding her extra goodies and separated her. She would walk around a little and then just sit a lot in the garden. She was eating more and she eventually went back with other chickens. I noticed it was taking her longer to come in at night and then she would come so far and just sit and I would bring her in. After a couple of times of this I started watching and I realized she could not see. I put my hand near her eyes and no reaction. I separated her and put her back in the garden. I noticed her legs were weaker. She stands up a little bit and doesn’t walk far and uses her wings to brace her to sit down again. I was giving her poultry drenched and didn’t notice any change. I feel at evening when lights are low she can see a little bit. She will grab the corn kernel out of the dish and leave the pellets. I can bring my hand close to her face and she doesn’t flinch or anything. Is there a specific vitamin or something I could give her to regain her vision? Also anything for her legs? Does it sound like some type of vitamin deficiency? Her eyes have no discharge etc. there is not excessive smells in coop of ammonia etc. thanks for any help.

Can you post photos of her and her eyes?

How old is she?

Have you ever had Marek's disease in your flock?

You feel she can see better in low lighting?

What do you feed, including treats? Not sure what vitamins if any might help vision, but for leg weakness, you can try B-Complex to see if that will help. Give her 1/4 tablet daily.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she on a balanced chicken feed crumble or pellet? Sometimes a vitamin A or E deficiency could cause blindness, but if she is taking a balanced feed, that should not be the issue. Her leg issue may be helped with the vitamin B complex daily. I agree that pictures of each eye would be helpful.

 

[kperki]

Can you post photos of her and her eyes?

How old is she?

Have you ever had Marek's disease in your flock?

You feel she can see better in low lighting?

What do you feed, including treats? Not sure what vitamins if any might help vision, but for leg weakness, you can try B-Complex to see if that will help. Give her 1/4 tablet daily.

Thank you for your reply. I am not sure of her age for sure but they said 1 1/2 yr but who knows.
I feed her later pellets, she gets a little scratch or kernels. I make up scrambled eggs and give her some usually in the evening. Oh also tomatoes and lettuce and right now I sit her in a pen in the grass and she can pick at that if she wants. I just got meal worms and peas for the duck that will get her B complex liquid on those so I can do the same with the hen.
I do not believe any mareks if a chicken dies of something I am unsure of I send off for a necropsy and have not had that show up.

Yes I do feel like when I’m feeding her in the evening at dusk she sees better but I can’t be 100%.

She is wobbly and not really wanting to walk much.

She is almost done molting but this has been going on before her molt.

I will post the pics of her eyes.
Thank you

 

[kperki]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There is something about the left eye, it does look a bit odd. Could be the angle.
I'm not sure what else you can do for her.

I'd focus on her eating poultry feed for the majority of her intake and see if the vitamins make any difference in balance.

How long have you had her?

 

[kperki]

Is she on a balanced chicken feed crumble or pellet? Sometimes a vitamin A or E deficiency could cause blindness, but if she is taking a balanced feed, that should not be the issue. Her leg issue may be helped with the vitamin B complex daily. I agree that pictures of each eye would be helpful.

Yes she is on layer pellets. I will try the B-complex. I was thinking of squirting a little vitamin A and E on her food for a week or two and see if that and the B complex does anything. She has a good appetite.

 

[kperki]

There is something about the left eye, it does look a bit odd. Could be the angle.
I'm not sure what else you can do for her.

I'd focus on her eating poultry feed for the majority of her intake and see if the vitamins make any difference in balance.

How long have you had her?

I think I have had her almost a year. I just give her a little scrambled eggs in the evening and I make sure she has some greens and right now she is loving tomatoes. I give her veggies to pick at etc as it has to be boring now for her so I like her to have something to keep her a little busy all I can do is keep trying…

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think I have had her almost a year. I just give her a little scrambled eggs in the evening and I make sure she has some greens and right now she is loving tomatoes. I give her veggies to pick at etc as it has to be boring now for her so I like her to have something to keep her a little busy all I can do is keep trying…

Mine love tomatoes and greens, I wouldn't totally eliminate those, she does need something interesting.