Hen twisting head, what could it be?(pics)

[AhBee01]

I noticed last night she was in the run all be her self. Her head was down and twisted upside down. Today the same, she did turn her head to eat, and I dipped her beak into water a few times.
I never seen anything like it. She doesn't seem to have balance and seems not to be using her right side.
Could she have had a stroke? I tried to read some diseases but not finding any info. Thanks Brenda

 

[RM44]

How old is she? I just went through this with a 7 week old. He acted that way (head twitching/twisting, but also had some sort of epileptic seizures). I ended up putting him down.

Have you observed any seizing or shaking in her while her head is twisted? Any other abnormal signs?

 

[AhBee01]

No, just that she keeps her head twisted, and doesn't seem to be able to keep her balance. She will be 2 in April!

 

[shelleyb1969]

I don't wanna scare you, but I've heard that Marek's can affect older birds that way sometimes.

But I'm definitely no chicken illness expert by any means. Hopefully someone will come along and confirm it as something different.

 

[AhBee01]

Can they get that if they were vaccinated? I think she was.

 

[the Old Rebel]

I don't have any idea about this either, but an inner ear infection MIGHT cause something like this - sorta like Vertigo in humans. I mainly wanted to give this a bump to keep it where someone who knows something can help. What a strange thing! I so HOPE she gets better.

 

[Paganbird]

Do a search on here for wry neck.
It's more common in crested breeds, but it can also be caused by trauma.
I had a polish that fell from her roost & developed this problem. Two weeks of vit E and PolyVisol & she recovered. She's back in the coop with the other chickens right now.

Here's a link to my post about her: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=284487
There's links to good info in there.
Good Luck!

 

[strawbie]

Hi there... usually this is caused by moldy feed.. is there someplace she could have gotten into it?
a flush ( w/ baster) of epsom salts dissolved in water will bring her back if it is moldy feed.
We've brought a few back with this.... good luck.

 

[spotsplus]

I would think it could be as Pagenbird said, a peck on the right spot on the neck on crested breeds and you will see what your describing as well as Mareks. Even if they are vaccinated as chicks, a small percentage will still get it as adults. I hate to say it but most I've seen like this are humanely uthenized or put down. I've had one that with extensive care did make it through fine but it quite a long ordeal with every day wondering if she'd make it. Happy and healthy now. I believe Mareks survivors are one of the diseases that they become carriers if they don't die from it. Mostly they don't make it because it's hard for them to keep balance to eat and drink and defend themselves or run away from the others in the flock.

T