8 week old silkie with droopy neck what is wrong?

[tracypagenhardt]

So I'm new to owning chickens and have a mixed flock of 21 birds. The silkie is currently housed with 15 other chicks and one other silkie around the same age. They are being fed organic grower and everyone else seems ok.

The past 2 days she seems to be sleeping more, is not a responsive as usual and she drops her head down and tucks it under her chest and scoots backward. When I pick her up her up she seems to be struggling to keep her head up.I have seen her feeding and I have recently started them all on electrolyte solution as I had an older chicken who was separated from the chicks but in the same coop who became very ill and died earlier this week. I had brought her inside when I noticed she wasn't well and started her on antibiotics as it seemed she was having problems breathing but she went downhill fast and died within a day. I don't know if it could be related as their symptoms are not alike in anyway but figured I would give as much history as possible.

If anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate the help, thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Was your chick vaccinated for Mareks disease? I would make sure the electrolyte solution contains vitamins as well. The chick may have symptoms of wry neck, which can be a sign of vitamin deficiency, head injury, dehydration, or certain diseases such as Mareks. Make sure she is getting plenty to eat and drink, and that she is not being bullied by the others. For a vitamin, Polyvisol wirhout iron 2 drops daily by mouth can be given as well as poultry vitamins. Vitamin E, thiamine, and selenium are very important, and selenium can be found in egg.

 

[tracypagenhardt]

Thanks for the reply!
I don't believe they were vaccinated for Mareks, I was wondering if that's what it could be as well but from what I've read Mareks presents more as decreased mobility in the legs as opposed to head/neck so I'm not sure.

The electrolyte solution is called Poul-Vite and contains plenty of vitamins but no Thiamine or Selenium. I'll look into picking up some Polyvisol and giving that a try. Thanks again!

 

[Eggcessive]

Recheck your vitamins to see if there is vitamin B1--that is thiamine. Eggs, ground meat, tuna, and crushed nuts and sunflower seeds contain selenium. Poultry Nutri-drench contains all 3 of those vitamins with 1ml orally daily.

 

[tracypagenhardt]

So the silkie seems to be getting better she's eating and drinking on her own and only has occasional fits however I just found another chick exhibiting the same symptoms (not a silkie). We don't have Polyvisol here in Canada so I never did try that but I've been putting the electrolyte/vitamins in the water. I don't think it's a vitamin deficiency anymore as they are on premium feed but I honestly have no idea what it could be. It does seem to be more of a fit as opposed to a weak neck so I'm leaning towards a neurological disorder but why 2 chicks from different breeders would be affected I don't know.

If anyone has any ideas of what this could be I would love to hear them, thanks!

 

[tracypagenhardt]

So it looks like the silkie has recovered!
Unfortunately we ended up with a weasel problem and it got in and snatched the other chick who wasn't doing well

 

[jonesygirl]

I have a new silkie baby (About 2 months old). When I recieved her, I was told that she was attacked by a hawk the previous night. There was no physical sign of an attack. She wasnt stable on her feet but I didnt have a great look at her before I took her home. I knew that she would be killed that day if I didnt take her home and see if I could help her. Yes, I am a suck, I know this!

Anyways, its been a week now and I feel she has gotten worse. It seems neurological to me. at first it was one leg that seemed to have the problem and now both legs are involved. her toes dont respond to touch and dont flare out to stablize her. She eats well, but I am not sure about water. I gave her a small syringe (1ML X 2) of poulvite water today and she is currently eating scrambled eggs quite happily. Is this the best I can do? Am I prolonging her torture? Or am I being a good chicken momma? This is killing me!