Crooked neck in chick?

[GermanKennhuhn]

Hi folks,
One of my chicks has a crooked neck, I originally thought it was wry neck but this didn’t seem as severe. She acts like a normal chick and can eat and drink fine. It doesn’t seem to bother her, I was just curious. It wasn’t as prominent when she was younger. Any ideas what this is? Thanks in advance.

 

[Isaac 0]

It's always on the side like that?

I actually had one like this, a little bit more severe, but its neck was more on one side, the conclusion was, it happened during incubation, and there was a malposition that caused a greater muscle pull to one side of the head which resulted in the deformity. What happens when you straighten the neck outwards?

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Thank you for replying. Yes, it’s always pulled to the side. When I straighten it out, she just pulls it back to the side.

 

[Isaac 0]

I can't really offer any advice besides straightening the neck out often, if you want you could start her on vitamin E and thiamine (B1), I doubt this is a vitamin problem. At least it doesn't bother her too much.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Ok, thank you! I’ll try the vitamins and stretching her neck out often. I fortunately already have vitamins. Do you think this will get worse?

 

[Isaac 0]

Ok, thank you! I’ll try the vitamins and stretching her neck out often. I fortunately already have vitamins. Do you think this will get worse?

Not really any way of telling, she may or may not. Mine did get worse to the point where he had to be euthanized.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

I’m sorry I hope her’s doesn’t! I’ll try what you suggested and let you know how it goes.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Her neck has gotten somewhat worse. She still eats, drinks, and moves around. I do notice she can’t roost, and doesn’t run as fast as the others.

Is there anything I can do to help her, or should I just let her enjoy the time she has left?

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

@casportpony, any thoughts?

 

[Isaac 0]

Her neck has gotten somewhat worse. She still eats, drinks, and moves around. I do notice she can’t roost, and doesn’t run as fast as the others.
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Is there anything I can do to help her, or should I just let her enjoy the time she has left?

Poor girl.

Sadly, there is not much you can do. Especially as they age, any type of nutritional treatment tends to be ineffective. However, this doesn't even look nutritionally related to me, it looks more like a deformity that possibly occurred during incubation. Personally, just provide her supportive care ( which would include making sure she's getting plenty feed/water), vitamins etc, and you make the decision when it might be the best time to euthanize her.