Hen can't hold head up, can I help her?

[laurelsh]

The hen can't hold her head up, and the head is upside down. Is this Marek's? Is there something I can do for her?

 

[DolceVita]

Can you post a video or pictures? How old?

 

[Mother of Chicks]

Sounds like wry neck - can you post some pics and give details about age, situation and other symptoms?

Might be worth a look at wry neck to see if it sounds like yours too - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/wry-neck-causes-treatment-and-prevention.67732/

 

[Eggcessive]

That is wry neck or torticolis, a neurological symptom. Sometimes it can be from a head injury, a vitamin deficiency, genetics, or sometimes is a symptom of certain diseases, such as Mareks and others. I would use 400 IU of vitamin E and some Vitamin B complex or another souce of thiamine daily, along with a small amount of cooked egg for selenium.

 

[DolceVita]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/someone-please-help-i-don’t-know-what-is-wrong.1388932/

 

[DolceVita]

Be patient it’s tough but the end can hold great results

 

[laurelsh]

Thank you. She is almost 3 years old. I will try what you suggest. They get lay pellets 16%. I tried to upload pix but only one uploaded.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you added any new birds in the last few months? She may need extra care feeding and trying to get enough water and food into her. Her is a video of feeding a chicken with wry neck:

 

[laurelsh]

I have not introduced any new chickens. All the same ones for 3 years, and none of the others have it, so I would guess she is genetically predisposed to the syndrome. She is improved a little this morning after getting vit. B+ and E last night. Thanks for the video on feeding.