Help with disabled hen

[drpurr]

I have a 5 month old Favrolle that I raised from a chick. She had a non functional eye and was weaker than the other 2 I was raising at the time. She grew up with a nonfunctional eye and a little bit of a head tilt. She did well with her sisters, until I integrated them with the other 3 birds I have. I have a bully hen that chases her from feed and water (as well as her sisters) but I have several food and water resources for them far enough apart that the bully can chase them but not keep them from eating or drinking (except the hen I am asking about - she hides from every one)The hen with one eye and head tilt is typically self-isolated in the coop most of the time. This morning I found her in one of the coops (I have 2 coops because one is falling apart and I was hoping to transition them all to a new one) by herself, not moving. She is so light when picked up and even if I put food in front of her she wont move. I brought her in, gave her water and food and she has been drinking for the last 10 minutes. I will put her back out in the new coop with food and water and her sisters. But how long can I keep her in and should I bring one of her sisters in with her to keep her company? She is the sweetest hen and I want to try and give her a good life.

 

[azygous]

It's important that you tell us which eye, right or left, is blind as they each function separately. If it's the right eye, the chicken will not be able to see to find food since the right eye focuses on close objects. If it's the left eye, the chicken will not feel comfortable and safe venturing away from the cover of coop or run as they cannot see danger approaching. Whichever eye is blind, it will determine how you manage this special needs chicken.

She probably is also suffering from lack of self confidence and starvation due to being bullied, and if they bully her away from the food, she won't ever get enough to eat.

I've had my share of special needs chickens over the years, and while it's extra work, they can thrive with the proper help. If the hen is bullied, here is how you restore confidence. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

In order for her to be able to find the food and water, they must be placed in the exact same location all the time as she may not be able to hunt for them if her right eye doesn't function. And she may need to be fed separately if she's going to get enough to eat.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Fascinating @azygous, I had no idea each eye functions differently!

 

[NanaK]

She could be tilting her head to try to see better.

 

[drpurr]

It's important that you tell us which eye, right or left, is blind as they each function separately. If it's the right eye, the chicken will not be able to see to find food since the right eye focuses on close objects. If it's the left eye, the chicken will not feel comfortable and safe venturing away from the cover of coop or run as they cannot see danger approaching. Whichever eye is blind, it will determine how you manage this special needs chicken.

She probably is also suffering from lack of self confidence and starvation due to being bullied, and if they bully her away from the food, she won't ever get enough to eat.

I've had my share of special needs chickens over the years, and while it's extra work, they can thrive with the proper help. If the hen is bullied, here is how you restore confidence. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

In order for her to be able to find the food and water, they must be placed in the exact same location all the time as she may not be able to hunt for them if her right eye doesn't function. And she may need to be fed separately if she's going to get enough to eat.

 

[drpurr]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. It is her left eye that is missing. Interestingly, when she is pecking for food, she turns her head to the right, so that left eye is parallel to the ground. I do keep the food in the same place, though i do spread food on the run ground too. I do agree she doesn’t feel safe. I read the bullying article, thank you for that! I will keep an eye on her; I had her in all day in a dog crate, and she ate and drank and looked better at the end of the day. I brought her back out and locked her in one of the big coops with her 2 original sisters with food and water. I think I will separate her to feed her daily given the eye issue. Thanks again!

 

[azygous]

The head tilt could be her attempt to get a read-out of what's going on in the distance and above. While the right eye will not be able to focus on things above and beyond, she will be able to see some general impressions. It's amazing how a chicken can adjust to their limitations, and with your help, she will manage much better.

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

How are things going? You could try pinless peepers on the offender(s). I have had great success with this. In multiple situations, the offender(s) only had to wear them a short while and issues were resolved. Good luck!