Crick in the neck?

[DetroitReds]

Hello,
My barred rock has a strange, reoccurring, but rare condition that I don't understand. Every once in a while she starts moving her head like she has a crick in the neck. That's the best I can explain it- she'll stretch her neck and head, lifting up the neck feathers, and shuddering all the while. It looks very uncomfortable, and when she's trying to adjust she won't eat or drink. I can't gauge exactly how long this lasts for- anywhere between a few hours and a few days. I figure she either works it out, or gives up. I don't watch her 24/7, but am worried when she doesn't eat or drink, obviously.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this?

 

[ruth]

Have you checked her crop? I had one that did this because her crop had become impacted and she couldn't swallow anything else. She would stand and move her head and neck all around - she looked like a "sista with an attitude".

I finally had to perform crop surgery and do have a thread with details and pictures.

Best way to check the crop is to feel it first thing in the morning. If it feels kind of like a big lump of play dough there may be a problem but you'll need to isolate her first and withhold food and water overnight so that you can check her again first thing in the morning before she eats. If the crop is empty and flat then that's not the problem.