Oddly crooked neck.

[Tacampbell73]

Hey BYC family. Hope everyone had a Merry Chickmas and a henny New Year. I come bearing an interesting situation. My little frizzle Pullet Popcorn, presents with a very oddly shaped neck. See photos. I tried to get decent pictures of it but as everyone knows chickens, like children, they don't hold still for photographs I'm not sure how long she has had it because it's mostly hidden under her ruffle across her breast/neck. When I brought her inside a month ago she was laying down more than standing so I needed to watch her closer. I'm guessing this is just a deformity from birth. Suggestions anyone, please and thank you for reading my version of War and Peace

 

[Eggcessive]

Does it seem like wry neck which is a neurological symptom where the neck is twisted to one side, upward, or downward? Is the neck every normal looking? Wry neck is usually treated with human vitamin E 400 IU daily plus 1/4 tablet of super B complex tablet daily. A small bit of scrambled egg or tuna can give selenium which helps in the vitamin E absorption. Another possibility would be spinal deformity which can be common chickens.

 

[Tacampbell73]

Hello, and happy new year Eggcessive! I was hoping you would answer. I thought wry neck at first. But she holds her head up normally. The pictures are hard to see. I tried to get every angle. She looks like a camel..or maybe a swan. Appetite is awesome. But when you said neurological I thought maybe that's why she prefers to lay down. She gets up and walks normally when prodded or bribed. She normally lays with her head pulled in like a turtle? Kind off accordion like. Since I have trusted your sage advice for 10 plus years I will go ahead with the Vitamin B/E Tuna additive for a couple of weeks and hope it resolves. I have seen wonders with that remedy. Once again, thank you.

 

[Tacampbell73]

Eggcessive if you read this... I looked up wry neck and it's definitely not that. Wry neck I have dealt with before. Floppy neck, head upside down, "stargazing" as they call it. This is almost like extra vertebrae. Her neck is the only off thing. It's S shaped. Nothing to do with the crop or any thing I think is fixable. I think it is a spinal mutation. More a cervical mutation. I can't help but wonder if I accidentally had two frizzles breed. The resulting frazzles have many. Many problems but I have never looked up just how many. Or what. It's easier to just not let it happen. Or so I thought. Can't wait to hear your thoughts as always thank you for your help.

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like a spondylopathy or bone deformity. It is called roach back or kinky back in some articles. It can cause curved breastbones (keels,) as well. Breeding those chickens should be avoided so it is not passed on. If the spinal deformity progresses, it could cause paralysis or trouble walking. Here is an article (not a professional one,) but it has pictures of various boney deformities in chickens:
https://bitchinchickens.com/2023/10/30/avian-pathology-cases-40-skeletal-deformities-in-chickens/

 

[Tacampbell73]

Thank you Eggcessive. I think we are on the right track. I have no intention of using her eggs for anything. I suspect there is something more to this. I have had a few strange deformities in my frizzles this year. I'm not even sure how to figure out or if there is even a way to weed out the culprit or culprits. So this is the sign for me to save my frizzles for pets only and move on to silkies only. My goal is to get more involved with Silkies and Showgirls. I had hoped to get some Sizzles going but apparently I won't be using any of my current frizzles as breeders. Thanks a million for your help (again) and I will be in touch the next time my chicken world comes crashing down. Take care.