No eyes

[JeniGort]

I just completed a hatching and had something I've never seen before. I had two chicks hatch with no eyes! After checking the eggs that didn't hatch, I found several more from different colors of eggs that also had no eyes. All of the chicks (hatched or not) were black.

I did just get a new Jersey Giant Rooster. Since all of the chicks were black, all the eggs were different colors is this his fault? Should I replace him?

Next thing is what do I do with the two chicks with no eyes? Should I give them a chance?

Anyone dealt with this before?

[JeniGort]

Also, I was running three incubators. One incubator was full of a friends eggs. Hers didn't have this problem so I don't think it's something environmental.

[Mike]

That's odd, I'd probably replace the rooster, could just be bad genetics.

[millipede]

welcome to the site...

That is odd. I don't know anything about genetics but I've never heard of anything like that. I would think one or two would be a fluke but multiple chicks born that way, I would be thinking someone's at fault. I believe poor diet can cause poorly developed chicks but, not knowing much about it myself, I kind of doubt that's the cause.
Personally I think I would try separating that rooster for a while and in a couple weeks incubate the eggs your getting and see what hatches.

As far as the chicks go... If they really have no eyes, they're going to have a really tough life. They would not be able to free range for starters. They'd need to be locked up where nothing can attack them. Thing would still be quite tough on them, and on you. I'm sure it could be done, but I wouldn't want to raise blind birds myself.
Good luck with the situation...

[Chantecler_eh?]

I agrre genetic problem. As for what to do with them I have no idea...