Broken neck chick??

[mhaines4102]

I have a chick, one of ten, that was fine this morning and now has it's head upside down. I know it sounds weird. Have any of you seen this? I have separated it, but I would like some advise. I have posted a picture. It is hard to see, but notice that it is looking up not out.

 

[mhaines4102]

Okay, I know you all think I am over reacting, but if you could really see it, you would understand. I have 9 chicks that stand up, walk around and so on (chick like.) Then I have the one that is bent all the way over till it's head is on the ground. It will look up with it's head to the right all the time or stick it's head all the way under itself and peck at its belly the whole time. It can stand up straight, but will not. Also, it's eyes are wide open like it is straining. Right now you are thinking that I am one of those over protective mothering types. Not so much. Maybe it will straighten up, but I just wondered what you guys thought.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I had a chicken with a twisted neck. We named her Tessy. She was squished by her brooder mates when she was down in the pine litter. 2 other chicks did the same thing but died. She lived until she was about 9months old when a dog got her. She wasn't able to get away. She walked better backwards than forwards but didn't take no crap from any of the other hens. She was #2 in pecking order. She consistantly laid nice pretty double yolkers.

Others may tell you to cull your chick. But if you have the time and patience, she will grow and learn to take care of herself.

ETA--photos

 

[M@M@2four]

Okay...is that a silkie chick? It looks like "wry neck!" This is treatable, but you need to do it quickly. Separate the chick and make sure it has access to water and food. I make a wet mash with water and chick feed, so it's easier for it to grab while upside down. Anyhow, wry neck is a vitamin deficiency. You need to treat it 2x daily with Poli-vi-sol drops. These are a liquid vitamin supplement for infants. You can pretty much buy these anywhere--at Walmart, grocery store, or any drug store. I position the chick head up while giving it the drops---gently open beak and squirt about a half a dropper down it's throat. They don't like this, but you will see results in about a week or so. "Wry neck" looks crazy--they flip over or the head is completely underneath it's belly. Please let me know if you have any other questions!!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

OMG, Coyote, I was thinking of Noheaded Tessy the other day!!!

Mhaines, It's usually a vitamin deficiency that can be remedied.

 

[silkiechicken]

Another thing, if it is sudden onset, as that appears to be a fluffy silkie, they are very prone to brain damage due to a vaulted skull. Young enough though, they can recover.

 

[mhaines4102]

Thank you very much. Going to Wal-mart now.

 

[tamsflock]

I have a white silkie doing the same thing. had another one last week sorry to say it died. Now I have this new one doing it. Had a black one but it seems to have got it under control. It seems it can bring the head up straight for a bit but then puts it down and walks backwards till it runs into something then stops for a while.

 

[mhaines4102]

All right, I've got that started. Now let's talk about prevention. I am feeding chick starter (medicated) and water. Is there anything else I need to do?

 

[silkiechicken]

Well, that sounds about right. Sometimes it happens, sometimes its a bit genetic, sometimes if you have other breeds that are non crested with crested ones, a good peck on the head can cause it to happen via brain damage.