Partridge Rock with Crookneck?

[derbychick]

We have a 4-5 week old Partridge Rock that is holding her neck strangely, frequently holding her head between her legs and walking backward. I've done a lot of googling and it seems like it must be what is often called "crookneck." She started exhibiting these symptoms Friday evening. Sunday we started giving her polyvisol, 2 drops twice a day. She is no worse, but no better either. Still eating, drinking, and eliminating. Any thoughts? Should we be doing more? Oh, I have also ordered avia charge which should be arriving any day now. It'll be okay to give to all 4 chicks, correct?

And in terms of administering the polyvisol--I'm sure there are members of my family who would've paid money to see me trying to sweet-talk Wendy into opening her beak for me!! I ended up letting it soak into a few flecks of feed and she ate that. Are there better ways?

Thanks!!!

 

[eggchel]

The symptoms of crookneck or limberneck, can be neurological from an injury (particularly in silkies or other birds with vaulted skulls), or can be caused by deficiencies or a few other diseases including botulism and Newcastles disease.
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/dissymp.htm

If you feel that it is from vitamin deficiencies, then I suggest also giving the chick some vitamin E, as that is what some silkie owners suggest for crookneck in silikes.

I have not been successful in treating it, but others have. Good luck.

chel

 

[derbychick]

Thanks for your response and the link! I am so puzzled. Her condition has not deteriorated at all since we really noticed it 4 or 5 days ago. She's still walking around, preening, hopping around, etc., and her feathers still look healthy. I'm wondering if she injured herself... I just don't know! We only have 4, and they're all on Purina start & grow, so I can't imagine it would be a vitamin deficiency. I will try the vitamin E/selenium thing and see what happens. As long as she doesn't get any worse, we'll keep trying things. I can't see any indication that she's actually in pain or suffering at all. Fortunately the others aren't picking at her... she's one of the larger 2, and the de facto leader, a Jersey Giant, makes sure the two little upstarts don't mess with her.