Neuro symptoms in 18 day old guinea hen

[Jen Obreiter]

We have lost two guinea hens with the exact same neurological symptoms - twisted neck, circling, agitation. First chick had symptoms for about 36 hours prior to death and second developed symptoms after 5 days. Any help in identifying what might be happening would be appreciated!

Bought the chicks 2 weeks ago at Townline in Zeeland, MI. 22 other chicks, 2 ducklings, and the 10 pet bantams seem unaffected for now.

 

[realsis]

Sounds like wry neck I say this because I'm nursing my bird for wry neck now. she began by circling nervously then her neck twisted between her legs. She couldn't eat or drink at first. With treatment she now lifts her head eats and she's on the road to recovery. I give one vitamin E capsule twice daily vitamin B and give a small amount of selenium toomuch is toxic but selenium is necessary in the absorbtion of the vitamin E. I also give children's liquid vitamin polyvisol. some stop here at this treatment but I'm following Alan Stanford's treatment for wry neck so I also give predinsone
She was on one week of one milligram tabs this week she is on 1/4 tab in am 1/4 tab pm of a 4 milligram pill of predinsone equalling 2 mg. Next week I will gradually ween her off the predinsone lowering the dose each day

Predinsone is given to reduce the brain swelling along with the vitamins. I hope this helps. It sounds like wry neck to me. My girls first signs was circling then her neck twisted between her legs. She only walked backward and would actually flip over
If it is wry neck make sure they have fluids even if you have to give it with a syringe at first
Have patience because healing takes time. I feed and water every two hours even though she's eating on her own now I still help her out by holding her bowl in front of her

 

[Jen Obreiter]

Thanks Realsis - we lost the two symptomatic chicks, so I just want to do what ever we can to make sure we don't have any more issues. With two little girls, each chick lost requires a full explanation and funeral (we lost two from the stress of shipment too). I will keep an eye out for any future symptoms, but it sounds like we have a lot less to be worried about than worst case scenarios like newcastle. Love the silkie