I have 26 4.5 wk old chicks, 5 of them are silkies. All are hatchery birds and have been doing fine. I found one last night cheeping by herself outside, cuz her neck was so severely twisted she couldn't see where to go
I have isolated her. Then this morning, I found another one "fighting" the twisting of her neck, a lot of shaking. I have read a few things about injury (on this board of course), thinking that is what happened to the first one. But now that the other is showing symptoms, I'm not sure if its genetic or maybe a vitamin deficiency? I just found it odd that both are silkies
Any advice, suggestions or info will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Silkie, 4.5wks, unknown weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
1-twisted neck, so severe looks up with one eye and walks backwards 2-shaking head, you can tell she is fighting her head from turning
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Less than 12 hrs
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Injury? In outside brooder with standard chicks
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
No, I have been dipping #1's beak in water, #2 is still able to eat and drink fine
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
isolation of #1
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I will treat myself
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Outside brooder, w/pine chips and access to the outside small run w/dirt and mulch
Forgot to mention...they were all vacc against maerks



1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Silkie, 4.5wks, unknown weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
1-twisted neck, so severe looks up with one eye and walks backwards 2-shaking head, you can tell she is fighting her head from turning
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Less than 12 hrs
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Injury? In outside brooder with standard chicks
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
No, I have been dipping #1's beak in water, #2 is still able to eat and drink fine
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
isolation of #1
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I will treat myself
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Outside brooder, w/pine chips and access to the outside small run w/dirt and mulch
Forgot to mention...they were all vacc against maerks
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