Hanging head

[mainelychic]

I noticed that my EE started hanging her head. Pretty much to the ground. She'll eat and drink ok. Hasn't really laid down. Just stands. Try's lifting her head but can't hold it up. Her wings are dropped as well. As if she doesn't have much energy. She'll walk and run away when she needs to. She's a little over 3 months old. Any suggestions?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos or a video of her?

What type of food/treats are you feeding?
Has she eaten anything rotten, moldy, toxic or maggot?
What does her poop look like?
How long have you had her?

 

[Sydnee Fisher]

Any more information?

 

[carlsaSC]

Just noticed this symptom in a month old buff orpington chick. Looking for information. Should probably separate her from her clutch.

 

[Eggcessive]

Just noticed this symptom in a month old buff orpington chick. Looking for information. Should probably separate her from her clutch.

Can you post any pictures? It sounds like the chick may have wry neck (crook neck, torticolis,) which can be a neurological symptom of a vitamin deficiency, head injury, and in some diseases, especially later in life. The usual treatment is to give vitamin E, thiamine (vitamin B1,) and a little cooked egg for selenium. It may get better in days to weeks, but some do not. Be sure that she is getting enough to eat and drink. Try wetting some chick feed, and add a little cooked egg, then offering it up to her while holding her.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a video of feeding a chicken with wry neck:

 

[carlsaSC]

She seems to have no strength in her neck. We've started giving her some Poly-vi-sol, and she did live thru the night. So, today we'll try the egg. Going to add the vites to the other chicks' water. Oh, and thanks for the hints and video.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can also increase the vitamin E to 400 IU daily, which can be given by piercing a capsule and giving the drops on food. The chicken vitamins and other supplements may not have enough E to help with wry neck. Do you know if she was vaccinated for Mareks disease? Mareks can cause wry neck symptoms and may occur at her age and older. But wry neck is a very common symptom in birds who do not have Mareks.
Here is some reading about Mareks disease:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[carlsaSC]

Huzzah! Recovery has been amazing. Thanks for the hints. Poly-Vi-Sol plus scrambled egg with garlic powder and oregano added, and she's up, eating, pooping and acting like all the rest of her clutch. I hope reintroducing her to the flock goes well and will do this evening.

 

[Eggcessive]

Maybe she was just dehydrated or not getting enough to eat. Glad to hear that she is back to normal. Hopefully, all will go well, but make sure that she gets enough to eat and drink.