Injured or sick cockerel

[Summer Hill chickens]

Hello,
I've been treating my seven week old chicken for rye neck. I found him about a week ago lying on his side with his neck twisted in the brooder. Iv'e been treating him with vitamin E and selenium for around a week now, and I've seen dramatic improvements in his neck, however he still can not walk properly and lays on his side. Is this normal for rye neck? Or should I be treating for something else?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

It sounds like Marek's Disease.

 

[Eggcessive]

Wry neck can be frustrating to treat. It can be a symptom of head injury, vitamin deficiency, and seen in certain viruses, such as Mareks, Leukosis, and respiratory diesases. Some chickens have a hereditary tendency to it. I would give him some more time with vitamins— E, B1 or thiamine, and selenium a mineral found in egg, tuna, and sunflower seeds. Feed him a thin mash of wet chicken feed, a little egg and yogurt 3-4 times a day if he cannot eat on his own. If you should lose him, get a necropsy from your state vet.