Flock of chicks sick--odd neck movements, barely moving, eyes mostly closed...HELP!

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any Poly-Visol infant vitamins (no iron)? They could have star gazing or wry neck. Vitamins would cause that (1 or 2 drops a day), but I suspect you may have mareks disease in your flock. When you get chicks from many different sources some can be vaccinated if the hatchery is asked, but most feed store and privately raised chicks are not. Mareks disease is in the soil. You might want to contact your state poultry agency to find out about doing a necropsy on any further chickens lost. You usually need to refrigerate them, but please make sure you find out first.

 

[moomoodiddy]

sounds like cocci or mareks

 

[delisha]

Chick starter has grit in it. If you are going to give them grass and bugs they will need grit.

 

[missnu01]

Marek's more commonly causes paralysis as a main side effect. And most chicks aren't affected until they are older than 8 weeks. but I guess that could be it, but it doesn't fit my experiences with it. Yours sound like they are having some type of other issues. I haven't the first idea what though.

I looked it up and one of the most common reasons for chickens to keep stretching their heads out with their mouths open is a crop impaction. I would feed them a little grit anyway..what are you using as bedding?

I found this...

Reason for Chickens Jerking Their Necks
Written by amanda richards

The hallmark movement of someone impersonating a chicken usually involves jabbing neck motions. Chickens move and see by adjusting their head positions and these intentional and curious actions are entirely normal. There are several pathologies that can cause abnormal neck jerking in poultry. In such cases, the neck jerking is accompanied by other symptoms such as anorexia, weakness and other distressing behaviours. Any abnormal neck jerking by a chicken is an emergency that must be quickly addressed by a veterinarian.

Independent Vision

Chickens have specialised vision capabilities allowing them to see more colours than people. They, as other birds, can see into the ultraviolet spectrum. They also use their eyes independently, which is why they "jerk" their heads to see things. Chickens move their heads to get objects into focus and to condense an area of binocular vision, while humans move just their eyes.

Crop Impaction or Parasites

Chickens may exhibit head jerking movements if they have a crop impaction or a foreign object in the crop. The bird will be seen acting in a preoccupied manner, be reluctant to feed and may have an enlarged crop. Sudden choking and gaping movements of the head or exaggerated jerking actions with an outstretched neck, are employed in an attempt to clear the throat or crop. A parasite called the gapeworm presents with similar behaviours. In both impaction and parasite cases, the bird may gasp and jerk or shake its head trying to expel the irritation. Gapeworms are differentiated by the presence of tiny red worms in the mouth or throat of the bird. A vet needs be consulted in both cases for treatment.

Nutritional Neck Jerking or Wryneck

Star gazing, limpness or twisting and jerking of the neck can be caused from vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin E or selenium. Though rare in poultry fed proper commercial or prepared diets, nutritional issues can cause such symptoms. Some breeds, such as silkies, need higher levels of vitamin E which can be found in green leafy vegetables and by access to grazing. If this has been diagnosed by a veterinarian, vitamin supplements will likely be administered and prescribed.

Disease or Injury

Injured birds may exhibit neurological symptoms like head twisting or jerking movements, particularly if there is a head injury. Diseases also cause the head jerking movements. Some serious diseases such as Mareks, EEE, Pasteurella, exotic Newcastle disease, or fowl cholera present torticollis (head and neck twisting). Less deadly disorders, such as an ear infection, may also cause neck jerking or twisting. A veterinarian must assist in all of these cases.


I doubt it is an injury, or gapeworm since they are still brooding...Is it possible that they ate some hay or grass, or something that may be gumming up the works so to speak. When chicks eat nothing but chick starter they don't need grit, but since I use hay bedding I sprinkle grit in their food from day one, that way if one should so happen to eat a few long pieces they can be ground by the gizzard as opposed to winding around the crop and blocking it up.
Either way neck stretching, lethargy, and gasping all points to a crop impaction to me.

 

[jessmc]

Thank you for the article. After reading it I did notice that my pullet's crop is really enlarged compared to the rest. I do feed them starter but they spend the day outside gobbling up grass & insects. Aside from the grit what else can I do to help her.

Also (off topic again) what's the purpose of feeding them olive oil? Thanks again

 

[chickymommy]

The oil can help the stuck food through.

 

[jessmc]

Ahh thanks!