Help! Two week old chick with new neck injury!

[laurenhollidge]

We got 5 little chicks 2 weeks ago and today one of the smallest ones (she hadn't been growing like the others) was hiding in the corner and when I went to get her out she started to chirp loudly and run almost sideways. Her neck is now turned so that she looking to the right and down a'little bit. I researched some and someone mentioned Wry Neck but wouldn't that have been an issue earlier on? We separated her from the others and we're going to feed her 3 times a day vitamin E in her food and a vitamin supliment in her water. If you have any idea what this could be please help!! We don't want the little chick to die.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome. I'd suggest reposting your question in the "Emergencies, diseases, injuries and cures" forum for optimal responses.

Best of luck
CT

 

[drumstick diva]

Wry neck can also be caused by a peck or bump to the head. Chickens generally do not die from it but, it sometimes takes quite a while to get back to normal. People get tired of taking care of them and chose to put them down.

Is the chick able to eat/drink by itself? Is it pooping normally? I would remove it from the others to its own little brooder, to prevent it from getting trampled by other chicks. Give it a stuffed toy to cuddle with, and be sure it is warm enough and can also get away from the heat if it feels too hot.

You can also very gently massage the neck into the correct position several times a day. Sometimes they seem all better and then regress, so you have to have patience.

 

[N F C]

This link will take you to a very informative thread about treatment for wry neck...it can be treated, it just takes time and dedication. Hope this information helps:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-a-wry-neck-chick-story-with-pics-with-update

Good luck!

 

[laurenhollidge]

A bigger chick was picking on her so that might have been that cause. She's not able to eat or drink because she can't stand up. It's really sad to watch. I wrapped her in a towel and she drank a tiny bit and eat a small amount of wet food. As far as I can see she hasn't pooped at all. I tried massaging her neck and I'll keep doing the every once in awhile.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[laurenhollidge]

Sadly she passed...is it possible for chicks to have strokes? It seamed like half of her body was paralyzed. I would really like to know what happened and if we did anything wrong.

 

[N F C]

I'm sorry you lost her. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we lose them.