Silkie that turns its head upside down

Maggizzle35 · Jan 17, 2014

It seems I have read somewhere that Silkies are more prone to this thing where they have a neck problem and can turn their heads upside down. I have 2 different birds that are doing this right now. One is not a full silkie but a silkie mix and the other is full silkie, both just happen to be black. I had one that I received from a hatchery several years ago with the same problem. She died quite young. Is there anything that can be done for this? Is anyone aware of what causes this?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Margaret

Granny Hatchet · Jan 17, 2014

i dont know anything about it except a name try looking up wry neck. its not too good a thing.

Eggcessive · Jan 17, 2014

Wry neck can be a symptom of a head injury, a vitamin deficiency, and disease such as Maraks, Newcastles, and others. Place them in separate crates for peace and quiet so they won't be hurt or bullied. Make sure they can get food, and give them vitamins such as vitamin B, E, and the mineral selenium. Here is a link:
http://oureggbasket.blogspot.com/2013/04/wry-neck-or-crook-neck-understanding-it.html
http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html

ich-knut · Jan 17, 2014

Try this link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/785282/hen-is-turning-head-upside-down-will-post-pic

The reply by Smoky73 and FeatheredFreind should be helpful.

With any new baby chicks I get I give them 2 tbsp yogurt mixed in with 4-5 drops of Poly Vi Sol children vitamin every other day for about a week. This serves two purposes: gives them vitamins if they are not eating properly and healthy bacteria so they don't develop cocci. With silkies you will have to dose them like this every other week or so if you don't add vitamins into their dry food. Mine started walking funny when they reached their growth spurt and I couldn't figure out why until I gave them vitamins.

Good luck.

Maggizzle35 · Jan 18, 2014

Hi there
Thanks for the information. I've only seen it happen in silkies. The hen seems to have gotten a bit better and originally she didn't have it and neither did this other bird. He is a silkiexcochin I think. Just this week I've noticed him with it. He is eating and drinking but when I'm not holding him his head is. Tucked way under him

Thanks again for the information. I knew had read about this before.
Margaret

Silkie that turns its head upside down

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Maggizzle35

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Eggcessive

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