Just a few days ago, I wrote about our little Silver Sebright, Isabelle, and how she was dying.
Isabelle had developed a solid growth on one eye (it looked like a large wart/tumor that was completely shutting her eye.) She went around for a while with the use of one eye and then her other eye started to swell shut. She had no other symptoms, no respiratory distress, no limping, just her eyes appeared to be involved.
What we ended up having was a blind chicken and no matter how much you love your birds, a blind chicken is not going to last long, especially during the winter months when she needs to be able to find her food and water while maneuvering around the coop. No one would have blamed me if I had put her down.
Even still, Isabelle did not seem to be in any pain, so I decided to give her a chance. Though she became completely blind, I decided to hold off on a culling sentence and instead put her in isolation in an unused rabbit hutch. I placed food and water in a heavy ceramic dishes in the cage with her (she tipped over lighter dishes when she’d try to find them with her feet) and patiently showed her where they were located. I went out several times a day to make sure she was okay and each time I could tell that she could hear me but didn’t have a clue as to where I was. Normally a skittish bird, she sat quietly while I stroked her feathers and talked quietly to her.
Quite frankly I didn’t have much hope for Isabelle. I gave her my version of chicken TLC – protection, water, and food (which included her favorite foods like fruit) and waited. I had my killing cone ready in the event that she started to show signs of distress. I love this little bird too much to let her suffer.
But Isabelle is a smart bird and she had other plans. Soon she figured out how to find her food and water. She nested inside a cardboard box that offered a little protection and warmth and she kept making it through to the next day.
After a few days her less swollen eye started to open up. She had plenty of bubbles in the eye and would shake her head with wetness (preventing her from rejoining the flock) but a half-blind bird is a bird that *might*, with assistance, make it through the winter. I became cautiously optimistic.
This morning when I went out to check on Isabelle, the “tumor” on her other eye had receded and now that eye is also opening up. Like the other one it is wet and filled with bubbles, but now when I put my hand into her cage, she backs away from me.
Isabelle can see.
Although it looks like Isabelle may be doing better, she is still not out of the woods, I’m still keeping an eye on her and keeping her in isolation. I’m not sure at all of what she had and I don’t want my other chickens to “catch it” but if ever there was a bird who is a fighter and who didn’t want to let go, it’s our little Silver Sebright: Isabelle.
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Wendy Thomas is an award winning journalist, columnist, and blogger who believes that taking challenges in life will always lead to goodness. She is the mother of 6 funny and creative kids and it is her goal to teach them through stories and lessons. Wendy’s current project involves writing about her family’s experiences and lessons learned living with chickens (yes, chickens). Visit her blog at www.simplethrift.wordpress.com
10 Comments
We have a blind rooster. He got the bad end of a hierarchy deal. That was 3 years ago. We have him in a small coop where he can get in from the weather and he has learned where his food and water is. We have a hen in with him as a companion. He has thrived and is fat and happy with his girl!
If you love your animals as much as you say you do, why didn’t you bring her to the Vet? My animal care always includes Vet checks when an animal is showing signs of illness!
Did you have a veterinary diagnosis that she had eye tumors? The swelling and eye bubbles could have been from an upper respiratory infection that finally cleared.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avipoxvirus
This is what it sounds like google this for images too.
Highly contiguous. I have dealt with it back 35yrs ago with love birds.
Good luck
Yay! This story makes me happy 🙂
Why don’t you let a Vet take a look. There may be Preventative measures you can take. As well if you know what caused the issue you could look for the potential source and prevent. Just some thoughts.
Keeping a chicken in the house is humane and fun. They are wonderful companions, and they can be returned to the outdoors when you want. But there are lots and lots of chickens who came indoors and became permanent house chickens. I’ve never had any problems with other house pets bothering the chickens, at least not after you let them know you like the chicken. Chickens sometimes will peck a dog-to be discouraged.
Anyway, give it a try before killing a chicken. You might like it.
Sounds like she has an infection. Have you had a vet check it? Could be very easy to clear up if that’s what it is. Our two elderly ducks have limited sight — both poked out one eye, and both now have cataracts in the remaining eye. One, I’m sure, must be nearly blind — her “good” eye looks opaque. They do just fine in the back yard. They’ve created a much smaller world for themselves, and they know how to get around, even in twilight — by touch if necessary. They’re inspirational for their ability to adapt to change. I wouldn’t dream of “culling” them — limited sight is part of being old, and one adapts. Oh, and don’t laugh — they’ve had eye infections and go to a duck ophthalmologist when they need help in that department. Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment to the rescue!
What a sweet story! It brought tears to my eyes! I am so happy that your little Isabel can see again! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad your little hen appears to be on the mend, but I’m just wondering for someone who appears to love her hens, why a trip to the vet wasn’t in order? It sounds as if no research was done or someone with more experience was at least consulted–not knowing what caused this; it could be anything from a contagious disease with an incubation period to tainted feed to etc…. How can you combat this ailment without knowing what it is/was?