Hen has something wrong with her neck.

[taff1001]

One of our hens has something wrong with her and thought someone here may have some idea what is going on. She is about 8 months old and a few days ago we found her sat out in our chicken run acting like she cannot hold her head up/straighten her neck. She seems to want to hold her neck curved like a hook when she is not moving. She is able to move her head around but seems to lack control. A lot of the time she will just sit down and tuck her head back into her body like she is sleeping. We can get her to drink but not eat. We do have her isolated from the other hens. None of them are showing any signs of the same thing. She is not showing any sign of improvement. Any thoughts?

 

[Michael Apple]

It would seem rare at 8 months old but not impossible since the symptoms can usually happen between 15 and 30 days of age, but have been seen later. Symptoms sound like Encephalomalacia, commonly called crazy chick disease. It is caused by a vitamin E deficiency. This condition softens and swells the brain. Give 1 vitamin E capsule each day for 5 days. At the same time use vitamin-mineral powder labeled for poultry in the water. That will have significant amounts of vitamins A,D, E in it. If there isn't excessive damage to the bird's brain that should solve the problem. Keep me posted as to how your hen is doing. You stated the bird wasn't eating, but was drinking. You may have to hand feed some scrambled egg or small bits of bread soaked in buttermilk to get some more nutrition in her. keep me posted on how your bird is doing. Don't procrastinate on the treatment as you don't want brain damage to occur.

Never store feed for too long or improperly. Buy feed from stores that have a rapid turnover. Never feed excessive amounts of cod liver oil.

 

[Michael Apple]

How's the hen doing?