RIR roo or hen?

[speckledhen]

Did I also mention these chickens are my first

? I think I may know what you are saying. Does he need to be euthanized? Do vets do that or are you saying we should do it here

? He seems happy but definitely looks crazy when he has an episode.

Every chicken owner either has to learn to euthanize their own birds or, until they can deal with it, have someone else do it. A rooster who has a neurological issue will not be able to find a home. Maybe you can find someone to dispatch him for you. I don't know if he'll recover or not but if he has some sort of permanent damage, there is no life for a rooster like that, I'm afraid. Believe me, I know how hard this is and I'm sorry you are dealing with it with your first chickens.

 

[sbendorf]

Every chicken owner either has to learn to euthanize their own birds or, until they can deal with it, have someone else do it.  A rooster who has a neurological issue will not be able to find a home. Maybe you can find someone to dispatch him for you. I don't know if he'll recover or not but if he has some sort of permanent damage, there is no life for a rooster like that, I'm afraid. Believe me, I know how hard this is and I'm sorry you are dealing with it with your first chickens.

 

[sbendorf]

How long should I wait before making the final call??

 

[speckledhen]

How long should I wait before making the final call??

That is hard to say. I have not had one with wry neck. If vitamin therapy doesn't help, and it usually helps fairly quickly, then I'd say he has something else wrong with him. You'd have to go with your gut.

 

[drumstick diva]

I think you should post both on the silkie thread - since they know a lot about this condition and also the "emergencies, diseases, injuries, cures," thread. I haven't heard of any recovering quickly, it can take time and sometimes there is regression before the bird is back to normal. It can be vitamin deficiency or/and brain damage from a bump or hard peck to the head.

The only birds I have ever heard of dying from it were with owners that panicked and put them down.. If it is a vitamin deficiency - folks use Polyvisol infant drops (NO iron) and a few drops of Vit E. squeezed from a capsule. If it is from swelling of the brain the vet may treat with prednisone . It also helps to gently massage the neck a few times a day coaxing it into the proper position.

That is up to you though, as Speckled Hen points out it is very hard to place a cockerel period.