Chick with Deformed Neck: Can Chickens Be Mentally-Disabled?

[CountingChickens]

So, I just got a new flock (Flock Marie vs. my first flock named Flock Ann because all their middle names are Ann ). And one day I was looking in on them and noticed one seemed to have it's neck turned.

And she never turned it properly. I even noticed her walk into a wall. I have picked her up felt it and it seems her bones are just made to go that way. She seems to be feathering as normal. She eats and drinks, runs and plays, sleeps with the rest of thr flock normally. But she seems a bit delayed in how she acts as well as having this deformed neck and an "off" demeanor. Anyone else see this or know what it is? Doesn't appear to be wry neck to me but I'm new to this all and thought I'd ask you all! I couldn't find anything on it elsewhere or on here. Thanks!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Wry neck? It's a vitamin deficiency.

But yes, they can have neurological problems.

 

[STACEYH]

Looks like wry neck
https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-wry-neck-in-chickens/

 

[CountingChickens]

Wry neck? It's a vitamin deficiency.

But yes, they can have neurological problems.

Looks like wry neck
https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-wry-neck-in-chickens/

The pictures I see of wry neck just seem so drastic compared to what this chick is looking like. So it's possible it can just be a mild case of wry neck. Well, just not as twisted as a neck, rather?

 

[STACEYH]

Yes

 

[CountingChickens]

Yes

Okay! Thank you!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Couldn't hurt to try treating for wry neck. Then you'd know for sure.

 

[Eggcessive]

Wry neck is torticolis or encephalomalcia. The neck be twisted to one side, in a spiral, down between the legs, and upward to the sky (opisthonotos.) In young chicks it can be from a thiamine (B1) deficiency or a vitamin E deficiency. It can also be from a head or neck injury. In slightly older chickens 5--25 weeks, it can be a symptom of Mareks disease. I would give 400 IU vitamin E softgel and 1/4 tablet of vitamin B complex daily by mouth. Human vitamins are fine to use. Also give a little scrambled egg daily for selenium. Hopefully, it will start to get better soon. Make sure that she is getting enough food and water or feed her several times a day with a watery mash of chicken feed and scrambled egg.

 

[Eggcessive]

What are you feeding your chicks? Are they getting a balanced chick starter or all flock feed as most of their diet? Is the feed as fresh as possible?

 

[CountingChickens]

Wry neck is torticolis or encephalomalcia. The neck be twisted to one side, in a spiral, down between the legs, and upward to the sky (opisthonotos.) In young chicks it can be from a thiamine (B1) deficiency or a vitamin E deficiency. It can also be from a head or neck injury. In slightly older chickens 5--25 weeks, it can be a symptom of Mareks disease. I would give 400 IU vitamin E softgel and 1/4 tablet of vitamin B complex daily by mouth. Human vitamins are fine to use. Also give a little scrambled egg daily for selenium. Hopefully, it will start to get better soon. Make sure that she is getting enough food and water or feed her several times a day with a watery mash of chicken feed and scrambled egg.

Perfect, thank you so much!