New Chicken Mom! Head curled, bobbing, etc..

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bluhmmers

bluhmmers

Hatching
Jan 14, 2016
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I am a new mom to 6 chicks, about 5 weeks old. I noticed one of my Rhode Is. reds has always had a slight tilt to her head to the side , like maybe a vision issue? But has not seemed to be a bother. I noticed for the past few days she has been curling her head down and into her breast, swiping her face side to side as though she is wiping off her face. She is bending over very far and now is walking backwards around the brooder doing this as if she is trying to get something off of her chest or face. She is backing herself into the wall and literally doing somersaults she is bent so far forward. Her crop seems to be emptying fine and she seems to be eating and drinking well, have not seen her droppings yet as we have several ladies. I don't see any missing feathers. I am so confused as to what could be the issue as she seems to be healthy in every other aspect. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Please help! I don't want to lose my girl!
 
Welcome to BYC, @bluhmmers !
welcome-byc.gif
We are so glad you joined us!

I went through your situation just a week or two ago for the first time. Lakota, one of my Silver Penciled Wyandotte bantams, shocked me one morning by displaying the exact behaviors you described. It's called "wry neck" or "crook neck," and is caused by a vitamin E deficiency. If you can't make it to the store to pick up straight vitamin E capsules, you could treat her with products high in vitamin E, like Nutri-drench or Rooster Booster Probiotics and Vitamins powder, and even molasses.

If you notice she isn't eating or drinking sufficiently, and is losing weight like my Lakota was, don't automatically assume that she won't make it. I mixed up a special "soup" for my girl made up of yogurt, feed, water, and Nutri-drench and fed it to her through a dropper several times a day. I also used my finger to hold her head up while she was eating. It can take quite a while to correct wry neck, but thankfully, it only took a few days for my baby girl.
Here's Lakota the day her condition manifested:


During treatment:

And, now:


See? There's hope for your girl!
hugs.gif


Lots of love,
~Alex
 
Last edited:
I got them some vitamins for their water, she is still curling her head, but does not seem to be as intense, she is eating and I make her drink when I pick her up. She does still get herself backed in the corner a bit, but I think she is improving.
 
bluhmmers said:
I got them some vitamins for their water, she is still curling her head, but does not seem to be as intense, she is eating and I make her drink when I pick her up. She does still get herself backed in the corner a bit, but I think she is improving.
Click to expand...
You're doing a splendid job taking care of her!
thumbsup.gif
Just watch, she'll slowly get better and better.

~Alex
 

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