***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kyzmette]

OK, I just got the poly vi sol. Going to do a dose then send him out with his buddies.   What do you think could have been going on? There was definitely something off this morning, but really seems fine now!

It could be either vitamin deficiency or a headbump and behave the same way. A mild concussion may not show lasting damage, but could have immediate disorientation and muscle spasms or evenseizures. And wryneck is technically severe cramps. If it's wryneck there's a good chance it can return, because the muscle spasms can come and go.

I have this thing that causes severe muscle cramping, and occasionally I get them in my neck. Have you ever seen the Harry Potter movies? I have to laugh about it, because when it happens I look just like when Harry had Voldemort in his head, the way I twist my head around to try to get my neck in a position where the cramp will go away. I call it the Voldemort twitch.

 

[subhanalah]

Im pretty sure this is wry neck, not finding out much in my chicken health handbook, but read elsewhere it could be injury or vitamin deficiency. He is isolated and I'm looking at treatments plans now. Anyone that has successfully dealt with this I would love to know about. If its a vitamin deficiency I can handle that, but if this is from an injury (this chick does have a vaulted skull) then I dont really know what I will do. 

So, now he's standing up, walking around his cage (isolated from the others) a little wobbly but not twisting the neck at all. I dont see any other symptoms….poop looks normal, maybe a little dry. He's talking lots, are their varying degrees of wry neck? Im going to get some Poly-vi-sol and check the cabinets for vitamin E. Im beat myself up for liking silkies so much   vaulted skulls…...

@Fancychooklady can give some good information. Maybe you can pm her and ask her? I would recommend nutri-drench over the poly-vi-sol, but that's my personal preference.

 

[subhanalah]

@ashtree
I would keep up with the vitamin supplements even though he appears better. Wry neck often comes and goes, getting worse as it progresses.

 

[ashtree]

@ashtree
I would keep up with the vitamin supplements even though he appears better. Wry neck often comes and goes, getting worse as it progresses.

It could be either vitamin deficiency or a headbump and behave the same way. A mild concussion may not show lasting damage, but could have immediate disorientation and muscle spasms or evenseizures. And wryneck is technically severe cramps. If it's wryneck there's a good chance it can return, because the muscle spasms can come and go.

I have this thing that causes severe muscle cramping, and occasionally I get them in my neck. Have you ever seen the Harry Potter movies? I have to laugh about it, because when it happens I look just like when Harry had Voldemort in his head, the way I twist my head around to try to get my neck in a position where the cramp will go away. I call it the Voldemort twitch.

Ok, I will keep up with the drops. I couldn't find vitamin e with selenium. How essential is that to recovery? Im watching him right now, still good, going crazy on some watermelon. What is a natural source of vitamin e? I hate the torture of force feeding/drinking.
Im so confused about what wry neck is. Chicken Health Handbook describes it as only a hereditary issue. I have lots of chicks from the same breeder, none with this issue. I'm going out to see her today so I will ask if this is something she has experienced. Does this mean the chick may have health problems in the future? Or is already unhealthy?
Edited because I dont want to offend anyone

or make any enemies

 

[ashtree]

There's an antique caponizing set on okc Craigslist. No idea if its worth the cost but thought I'd mention it. I'm having mobile issues so can't link it at the moment.

 

[artsyrobin]

This is the treatment i use, from a friend that has used it successfully, the only difference is i add 1/4 adult asprin for inflamation

Quote: it is my understanding wry is a nutritional issue-

 

[NanaKat]

A tendency to need extra vitamins is a hereditary issue....goes with some breeds.
Because symptoms are similar does not mean it is wry neck, although treating it as such may provide benefit.
I use the Chicken Health Handbook as a starting point...not an exclusive. JMHO...Gail Damerow has several books....each is a collection of materials from many sources other than her own. So many of the diseases she lists have identical symptoms and it can be confusing to beginners.

 

[Kyzmette]

Ok, I will keep up with the drops. I couldn't find vitamin e with selenium. How essential is that to recovery? Im watching him right now, still good, going crazy on some watermelon.  What is a natural source of vitamin e? I hate the torture of force feeding/drinking. 
Im so confused about what wry neck is. Chicken Health Handbook describes it as only a hereditary issue. I have lots of chicks from the same breeder, none with this issue. I'm going out to see her today so I will ask if this is something she has experienced. Does this mean the chick may have health problems in the future? Or is already unhealthy?
Edited because I dont want to offend anyone   or make any enemies

Selenium helps with the E absorption, and the E is absolutely essential.

And you're not going to offend here by asking questions, stating an opinion or discussing a topic. We all learn together. And I've seen birds neglected to the point of starvation, and they got wryneck. I'm no expert, but I would dispute the Chicken Health Handbook on this point. Now that the weather is hot any creature with muscle fibers is going to be more susceptible to muscle spasm due to dehydration danger. Also, I don't have silkies, but aren't they more prone to heat issues due to the vaulted skull?

 

[subhanalah]

Selenium helps with the E absorption, and the E is absolutely essential.

And you're not going to offend here by asking questions, stating an opinion or discussing a topic. We all learn together. And I've seen birds neglected to the point of starvation, and they got wryneck. I'm no expert, but I would dispute the Chicken Health Handbook on this point. Now that the weather is hot any creature with muscle fibers is going to be more susceptible to muscle spasm due to dehydration danger. Also, I don't have silkies, but aren't they more prone to heat issues due to the vaulted skull?

silkies are more prone to vitamin deficiencies, but I believe this has to do with the fact that they are kept "in" more often than other breeds who are allowed to range.
My silkier LOVE to range though, so it's really sad

Not all silkies have a vaulted skull, I believe the heat gets to them because their feathers don't provide as much insulation as regular feathers, same as how they are more sensitive to cold than normal feathered birds.

 

[ashtree]

Heat issues with silkies is new to me. I actually started getting silkies because I read they are heat tolerant. Hope I didn't mess that one up

I'm sending my husband to the health food store in search of vitamin E with selenium. Thanks everyone for all the info.

@nanakat I agree the book can be very confusing but I do like having it on hand. I have a couple other books I also reference, both written by her that go into more detail and mention nutritional deficiencies.

Ok-and just to make sure this question doesn't get lost: what are natural sources of vitamin e? Anything chickens like?

Years and years ago we had hatchery stock RIRs and NEVER an issue besides predators. Have I fallen in love with a fickle breed? Geez I love these silkies.