Chick acting like it has a broken neck

[feather13]

Hi! Last week we got ten chicks and have been raising them in the house and occasionally putting them outside in a pen in the shade (it's been 100 plus degrees here, so plenty of water, feed, etc.). Last night when I got home from work, the Copper Maran looked to be dead. When I picked her up, she was alive, but acted like her neck was broken. She couldn't seem to lift it up. She thrashed around a little and then suddenly died. I'm wondering if anyone else has ever seen this. I've only been raising chickens four years, but have never seen one act like it had a broken neck. I'm worried that the others might get this if it's communicable.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

How old are the chicks?

My first thought is maybe heat related, or it could have been stepped on by the others.

Depends on the age though as to my answer.

LofMc

 

[feather13]

Thanks! All of the chicks are 2+ weeks old and the Maran was the largest. If it doesn't seem to be a common illness to you, then I'm not going to worry about it.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Not at 2 weeks of age. Limp neck then death at 12 weeks would indicate Marek's as a possibility, but not at 2 weeks.

It is a bit early for coccidiosis, but with the hot weather, that could really drain a chick quickly. Watch out for any runny poo especially any red tinged (bloody). Keep food/water and litter very clean. If any start to look listless, hunched over, put on Corid immediately.

Coccidia love warm and wet for overgrowth.

LofMc

 

[Mama Bay]

Maybe wry neck?

 

[Mama Bay]

I give electrolyte/vitamin water when it's this hot.

 

[lazy gardener]

My thought is possibly botulism. but not having any contributing factors related to that, second guess is wry neck or vitamin E encephalopathy. It would be unusual for such a rapid death after completely sudden onset of signs. Heat could certainly have been a factor. One reason not to brood chicks in the dog days of summer.

 

[feather13]

Thank you for your replies! I'm putting electrolyte powder in their water now and keeping them inside in their cage. Temps here in Southern California have been 90-100. I don't turn on the AC in the house, so it's warm and dry inside, but no hotter than it would be in a brooder with a warming light. Using pine shavings (any better suggestions for bedding?) and change it at least 1x per day. It's not wet. The remaining chicks look active and fine today.