Eye problem or normal

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If you have been following the thread "Baby Cockatiels" then you know I have three babies that are growing rapidly.
I just noticed something on the youngest baby (now named Popeye).
He/she is only one week old and I have not spent much time handling because it is still very young.

Only one eye is open.
Now the other chicks did not open there eyes till day 9 or 10.
It could be this is normal but it does not look normal.

looking at the picture more closely it could be regurgitated food stuck on the eye lid. If is food can I gently wipe it off with a moist cloth or should I just leave it alone?


Soonest I can get in to see the avian vet in my area is Monday afternoon.

Just transporting all the babies + mom and dad will be difficult and disruptive to them staying fed and warm.

I think I am just a worry wart.
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[GaleriaGila]

I think I'd try a Q-tip, moistened with warm water... dabbing gently...
But let's see what the experienced breeders think.

Ooooooh, they're so vulnerable and tiny at those ages... so sweet.

P.S. Look at that baby-crest!!!!!!!!!

 

[henpecked]

Yeah you could clean that up with a moist q-tip. I just did it for some 3 day old wild turkey poults.

 

[gracebowen]

I clean mine with a damp w tip too.

 

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The crust that was visible in the photo came off a day or 2 ago but the bird was still not opening the eye.
Went to vet this morning and said it looked like it could be some kind of infection.
Gave me antibiotic drops to put in eye 3 times a day.
He sort of forced the eye lids open to make sure there was no damage to the eye itself.
Hopefully it will get better.
I would prefer that the eye heals when the chick is still young/get use to seeing out of both eyes. we will see how it goes.
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