Bent neck chicken

[jessicalea]

Hello my fellow chicken lovers. We have about a 6 week old chicken who was born with a domed skull who has acted normal up until now. Today we went out to check on the birds and it was standing outside in the rain with its head twisted backward and its neck folded in half, hanging low to the ground. It's neck is not limp. It is very stiff. It also looks to be a bit of swelling by the ears. It is no longer opening its eyes. It can stand and is still strong. I am pretty sure will will be putting it down. But I am wondering what could have happened to it. There are no perches and it is in an enclosed wire cage. So I don't know. Any suggestions about what to do and how? Hope to hear from you very soon. Thank you

 

[jessicalea]

I also offered it food and it ate a bit. I put a bit of water on its beak and it drank, upside down.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is known as wry neck, crook neck, or torticolis. If it is a new chick it is sometimes called encephalomalacia or star gazing. It can be a vitamin E, and selenium deficiency, a vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency, but also may be from a head injury in a chick. In some chickens it may be a sign of brain inflammation due a disease such as Mareks or from infectious respiratory disease. Vitamins (thiamine, vitamin E, and selenium, found in eggs, chopped nuts, tuna, meat, and eggs) is usually given along with placing the chicken in a low noise/low stimulation environment, while trying to help it eat and drink. Although there is not guarantee your chick will get better, many do get better with care and a little time. Start some poultry vitamins. Here is some info to read:
http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html
http://oureggbasket.blogspot.com/2013/04/wry-neck-or-crook-neck-understanding-it.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/97121/lets-talk-wry-neck-crook-neck

 

[jessicalea]

Thank you so much. This puts me at ease in that it means I can try to do something for it. I have put it in a box in the spare bedroom and it is opening its eyes more and seeming more active. i am getting it to drink and eat now and just gave it some tuna. Thank you.