K Silkie Experts - What are my five?

[silkieluver_07]

I forgot to add that liquid vitamin E helps with wry neck. I buy the vitamin E capsules and make a hole in them and squeeze the liquid into their mouths.

 

[jaylee]

I had my first experience with wry neck, and found a treatment (not necessarily a complete cure) on line. Mine was so severe that any noise would cause an episode of flipping, running backwards, neck twisting and falling into a pile, or if the bird tried to scratch itself that would cause the episode, or if I bumped the cage, would cause it. I started a treatment of 2.5 mg. of Prednisone (Prednisilone) twice daily (easily obtained with explanation to your vet, an office visit prob. not nec.) also add 400 i.u.vit ecapsule, and 1/2 cc of liquid vit B. I put the pill in the botton of a small glass and crushed it with the back of a spoon, then add the contents of the Vit e capsule, then the liquid vit B stir it all up and and suck it up with a syringe without the needle (a one cc syringe works best) and squirt it in their mouth. Also, if I untwisted the bird and offered softened food and water out of a bottle cap the bird readily ate and drank. Within a few days the bird had fewer and fewer episodes. Everytime I saw the bird down, I picked it up and balanced it against the wall of the cage and after about 20 to 40 seconds, it could stand without assistance. After about 12 days, the bird went out with the group and did fine for about 2 months, now sometimes seems "lost"....walks in slow circles, so I put her back on the medication. I have her isolated again, and she seems fine, but I think she will always have to have special attention, which she will get. I wish you well with yours.

 

[daproper]

If the first one has crook neck it's an indication of stress - possibly too many birds in a small area. We had a blue silkie with it and separated him from the group for awhile and he got better. It's also really important to keep them hydrated. We had to feed it through a stopper for awhile to make sure it was getting enough water.

I think your first splash is a roo - here's a picture of mine

Generally on silkies (except for black and/or blues) the comb should be red or have a reddish tint. Also the crown will be bumpy and not smooth. We have a black that I swore was a hen until he crowed and then I took a better look at the crown and saw a slight red color.

The first silkie I'd need to see a better pic of the front of the head to get an idea. I think the last one is a hen also. Here's a pic of ours for comparison

Silkies are REALLY hard to determine until they are at least 4 - 5 months old.


Hope this helps - They are really pretty birds.

Denise

 

[daproper]

Quote:
I forgot - yes add vitamin E it definately helps!!

 

[ourlittleflock]

many many thanks - for the input

she has had her wry neck it seems like forever - she had it at about 2 weeks old and got over it but it came back probably 2 months ago but she is doing a little better each day - less flipping and holding the head down. She really holds her head down when picked up - I hope one day she is completely better - she is the sweetest of the bunch...

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Generally on silkies (except for black and/or blues) the comb should be red or have a reddish tint.

This is not correct. Silkies should have deep mulberry to black combs. Red is a disqualification.​

 

[Brody's Broodello]

Hi, looks like you have the sexes right. But your black bird did not have wry neck. True wry neck causes the head to turn to the side, and the animal will roll sideways trying to get its balance. What your silkie had was a head injury. The bird will tuck it's head under it's body, sometimes rolling forward. That is the way to tell the diiference. It is a VERY common thing for silkies, especially one'e with vaulted skulls. Most recover on their own, when the nerve endings heal. Some birds show no signs later in life until they are stressed. They will bobble their heads when they get stressed. You can see this at shows, in the silkie rows a lot. The birds that have a super bad case, sometimes never recover. But usually they turn out fine. Good luck

 

[ourlittleflock]

Brody's Broodello :

Hi, looks like you have the sexes right. But your black bird did not have wry neck. True wry neck causes the head to turn to the side, and the animal will roll sideways trying to get its balance. What your silkie had was a head injury. The bird will tuck it's head under it's body, sometimes rolling forward. That is the way to tell the diiference. It is a VERY common thing for silkies, especially one'e with vaulted skulls. Most recover on their own, when the nerve endings heal. Some birds show no signs later in life until they are stressed. They will bobble their heads when they get stressed. You can see this at shows, in the silkie rows a lot. The birds that have a super bad case, sometimes never recover. But usually they turn out fine. Good luck

thank you for the information - it is a slooooow go but she does get a little better each day​

 

[joe17]

Where did you get yours from? They look nice!

 

[ourlittleflock]

Quote:
they came from a wonderful ebay seller - 1234muki

she even has awesome D'uccles