Help, chicken has droopy head

[Losthorizons]

I noticed that one of my hens has a droopy head. I recently noticed they have lice and/or mites and I have treated them for that with poultry dust. It looks like she's having a hard time drinking because of her head and neck drooping.

 

[Kiki]

Can you get her some vitamins asap.

Look up wry neck.

 

[Losthorizons]

I have a liquid vitamin B 12 with K that I put in her water but like I said she's having trouble drinking. Can I just put some in a syringe and put it down her throat does that work ?

 

[micstrachan]

Is she having trouble SWALLOWING or manuevering her neck to take a drink?

 

[Losthorizons]

Yes, she will drink, but then has trouble lifting her head up and back to swallow.

 

[Losthorizons]

I do have a rooster, is it possible that he injured her neck?

 

[Kiki]

A rooster is possible but I highly doubt it.
I'd first guess vitamin deficiency.

Would you be willing to tube feed and water her?
#1

 

[Losthorizons]

Yes I can try that I don't want her to die. How does the tube feeding work?

Never mind on my question, I see the link now. Thanks for your help.

 

[Losthorizons]

Update: I gave her the liquid B12 for three days in a row - and she is looking better. Her head isn't drooping anymore and she was eating and drinking on her own. She did seem to be shaking her head a bit, so I'm going to keep an eye on her to see if anything changes. I also bought some Electrolytes - so hopefully that will help also.

 

[Eggcessive]

She probably doesn't need B12 or K. For wry neck (crook neck, torticolis) thiamine (vitamin B1,) vitamin E, and the mineral selenium are usually given. Use a chick vitamin and and give a little chopped egg or tuna for selenium. Foods rich in thiamine are liver, yogurt, and beef. Mix up small amt chicken feed with a lot of water, then add some egg, and with her wrapped up in a towel, try to get her to eat to that several times a day. Here is some info about wry neck:
http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html

Top 10 Vitamin E Rich Foods List

• 1) Almonds. 1 oz: 7.3 mg (27% DV)
• 2) Spinach. 1 bunch: 6.9 mg (26% DV)
• 3) Sweet Potato. 1 Tbsp: 4.2 mg (15% DV)
• 4) Avocado. 1 whole: 2.7 mg (10% DV)
• 5) Wheat germ. 1 ounce: 4.5 mg (17% DV)
• 6) Sunflower seeds. 2 Tbsp: 4.2 mg (15% DV)
• 7) Palm Oil. 1 Tbsp: 2.2 mg (11% DV)
• 8) Butternut squash.