Jerking neck movements

[proud-armywife]

my wellsummer is making jerking head movements from side to side. Checked her crop it is spongy. The jerking movement are about three times back and forth and then not again for a few minutes. I did tip her over and she vomited a bit. She is isolated please help what do I do

 

[Eggcessive]

She may have something that got stuck in her crop such as tangled strands of long grass, large pieces of food or other. I haven't treated crop problems but the main thing is to get her to drink water, or tube feed her water and massage her crop. Be very careful making her vomit becasue if not done properly, this can cause them to aspirate and choke to death. Here are some articles that may help:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html
http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/01/crop-issues.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

 

[lizsmall99]

I'm guessing that she has a Gapeworm since she tried to get it out of her system. I would take her to the vet this can be quite serious if not treated immediately.

I wish you the best of luck!

 

[proud-armywife]

I just wormed the flock with safeguard I'm thinking it's not gapeworm .... What else could it be?

 

[lizsmall99]

I'm no expert on chickens, but this is actually a pretty serious symptom for chickens. I would honestly take your bird to the vet, not just for its own sake, but for the sake of all your flock. Something like this can actually wipe out a flock if it's a bacterial infection.

If you think she has something in her throat, I would still go to the vet. I've known people who've tried to perform 'at home surgery' for their hens, but as you can guess it did not end well.

Good luck!

 

[Eggcessive]

I just wormed the flock with safeguard I'm thinking it's not gapeworm .... What else could it be?

If it doesn't appear to be a crop problem, there have been threads here about chickens doing this repetetive action back and forth with there necks that have turned out to be neurological symptoms, possibly from wry neck, seizures, or Mareks disease. If you could post a video on YOUTUBE with a link here, we could see what you are seeing.

 

[proud-armywife]

Ok she vomited when I picked her up doing massaged crop I have purchased baby food and pedialite also probiotic plain yogurt.... I hope this works! She is my favorite

 

[lizsmall99]

I'm so sorry! I really would take her in the an avian vet. They aren't expensive and really helpful. Sometimes there are meds that the chickens need that you can't get online. I really hope your baby is okay, injured chickens are always difficult...

Good luck,
Liz

 

[proud-armywife]

Checked crop this am it is empty. Gave her baby food oatmeal with corn and pumpkin mixed with pedialite and stony field yogurt I thought I made too much but she gobbled it up! I also put nutradrench in her water... As of this am... No neck movements!!! Can a crop spasm? It looked like a muscle spasm yesterday.... I am hoping the movement is gone... Keeping my fingers crossed. How long should I continue to isolate her.. She hates it looking for a way out all day

 

[Eggcessive]

It really sounds like a neurological symptom, similar to wry neck, and possibly could be helped with rehydration, vitamins and electrolytes as you are giving.