The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: KahlanA on April 17, 2015, 11:28:20 am
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Our little Gregory is now 1 week 4 days and his eye is getting worse. It has a rim to it now, and is narrowed. His back feathers are also a little patchy. He was going to go to a farm this weekend to live but I'm worried about him - thinking should this be a vet appointment perhaps? Our vet doesn't deal with chickens so we will have to go further afield to find one. He just looks so sorry for himself :(
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Sometimes chicks just don't make it. If there's something wrong on the outside it can often indicate there's also something wrong on the inside. A few things, such as splay legs, are fixable but otherwise I find you just have to keep them warm and very clean, provide constant clean water and chick crumbs, and hope for the best.
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I think you need to decide whether to treat or cull based on that photo.A normal vet should be able to deal with that.
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I would have thought a normal vet could look at his eye and maybe give you some ointment. I agree that most are not 'specialists' but would have thought that this was fairly basic and they could deal with it.
'Going to live on a farm' ..... How do you mean?
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Looking quite infected, I'd either cull him or straight to the vets as he is suffering.
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I have successfully used chloramphenicol eye ointment from the chemist twice on my geese although they were adolescents and a lot bigger than your chick.
Good luck :fc:
Helen
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Thanks everyone.
I took him to the vets, and he has ointment. I've managed to rig him up a private corner of ecoglow/brooder so he doesn't continue getting pecked.
I was hatching eggs with the children as an educational experience, we wanted to keep any hens but pre-arranged a home for any boys already in place (a local farm who keeps them - alive and happy).
However he's of course staying put until he's better or worsens.
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If you use a red light over the brooder it can stop the chicks trying to peck anything red or shiny. They are notorious for pecking at eyes. This may have been the cause of the injury and infection.
Helen
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culling would maybe a better option if the chick is of little value. something for the kids to learn about real life.
a farm that gives forever homes to cockerals? :yum: :yum:
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Yes it's a local farm park, they have a whole field of cockerels roaming once they grow out the cute petting stage :) seen with my own eyes!
The vet said about the red light too.
I had prewarned my daughter he may be put down, as we plan on keeping the hens I'm not afraid to teach her this lesson, but the vet believes it's treatable so definitely that route first. I understand in a big/commercial flock culling would be more economical but for our purposes I think the more valuable lesson for her is that we have a commitment to provide proper care for our chicks, irrespective of cost, as we've taken on the responsibility of hatching them.
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I hope the eye improves Kahlan :fc: It does look very infected and sore.
I completely understand and respect your motives but be prepared for the little chap just giving up. Either way there are valuable lessons for the young people in your family
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how did it go?