Exorcist head turning

[robie]

I found my hen hanging out in the coop last night turning her head oddly. It was almost like she was trying to scratch herself. Has anyone seen this before?

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Yikes, hopefully she was watching a bug? Mine quickly move their heads when a fly is buzzing them, but i didn't see any bugs....

 

[diamondsilkies]

Unfortunately, I have seen this before in my birds infected with what I believe to be Mareks, which is a disease that causes internal tumors and paralysis. It is possible for them to survive this. However, it could also be a case of wry neck, but I'm not super experienced with this, so I'm not sure. I only had one chick do something similar to this, but it was just a lack of nutrients (one cause of wry neck), and ended up being an easy fix. Of course, it could be something entirely different than either of these two things, this is just what came to my mind. Good luck!

 

[aart]

Search on 'wry neck'...
...it's a neurological disorder that can be caused by vitamin deficiency.

 

[Richie]

Unfortunately, I have seen this before in my birds infected with what I believe to be Mareks, which is a disease that causes internal tumors and paralysis. It is possible for them to survive this. However, it could also be a case of wry neck, but I'm not super experienced with this, so I'm not sure. I only had one chick do something similar to this, but it was just a lack of nutrients (one cause of wry neck), and ended up being an easy fix. Of course, it could be something entirely different than either of these two things, this is just what came to my mind. Good luck!

My pullet has been vaccinated against Mareks. She has wry neck syndrome. I thought there might be way to stop the head spinning. She is on vitamin therapy and separated from the others. I feel so bad for her.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I believe vaccination does not protect them from getting Marek's, it only keeps them from getting the tumors? I could be wrong, though. Let me confirm with @Debbie292d or @coach723 .

 

[coach723]

@Richie
Sorry, just saw this. It is true, the Marek's vaccine does not prevent them from getting the disease, just prevents them from developing the tumors and reduces mortality. There are other reasons that wry neck symptoms can occur, vitamin deficiencies being a common one. Head injury and disease are others. What breed and age is your hen? How long has it been going on?
If she is unable to eat and drink on her own, then you may need to assist or hand feed until she is able to. More on wry neck below, a video at the bottom shows how to assist feeding.
https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/wry-neck.html