Rooster arching his neck.

[pwand]

I don't know if wry neck will take them that fast, gape worms will. I have read to take a q-tip down their throat, twisting it to bring it up and you may see worms, however, its in their trachea so its not clear if it really works. Its worth a shoot and to treat with safeguard for three days straight and again in 10 days for Gapeworm. Is his comb blue looking. Feel his crop, how does it feel?

 

[BigECarter]

I noticed that you mentioned in another thread that you recently added to your flock. Did you quarantine? If not, the cockerel may have caught something from the new hens.

 

[pwand]

I am wondering if its Newcastle disease.
http://www.nda.agric.za/docs/nervous/
http://www.avianbiotech.com/diseases/newcastle.htm

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I would sure hope thats not the case or I'll lose my entire flock. The rooster is a bit more perky today but now a hen has started with the same thing. Could this have anything to do with our winter or are signs pointing to I'm doing something wrong. After one I'd accept a fluke but now theres two and I hope to God the number doesn't rise.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would sure hope thats not the case or I'll lose my entire flock. The rooster is a bit more perky today but now a hen has started with the same thing. Could this have anything to do with our winter or are signs pointing to I'm doing something wrong. After one I'd accept a fluke but now theres two and I hope to God the number doesn't rise.

Newcastles has not been reported in the US in 30 years. Wry neck can happen with injuries to the head as well as in many diseases, such as Mareks, equine encephalitis, and many other chicken diseases.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I did recently take a small group from a lady who left the state. And no I did not quarantine. After all of this I sure wish I had, but other than this cockerel and pullet everyone else seems perfectly fine. I checked over every inch this morning after I realized I missed my girl last night. I'm not sure if it's the worms since they're not hanging with their mouths open. They've both been taking vitamin water from me and they try to eat, but I'm not sure if its lack of strength or lack of coordination that they don't seem to be able to pick it up. They both seem extremely tired and have pretty much been asleep all day besides the time I wake them up to take some water and try some food.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are a couple of good links for Mareks disease and equine encephalitis:
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/55/equine-encephalitis-eee-wee-vee

 

[Eggcessive]

This is from University of Florida:
Equine Encephalitis

Synonyms: EE, EEE, WEE
Note: This disease should not be confused with St. Louis Encephalits (SLE). Chickens are used as sentinels (test animals) in SLE suspect areas, such as southern Florida. While SLE is also carried by mosquitos, that is where the similarities between the two encephalitis diseases end. Chickens do not get SLE. Refer to Factsheet VM71 (St. Louis Encephalitis - The Role of Chickens) for more information on SLE.
Species affected: Equine encephalitis is a contagious disease of birds (especially pheasants), mammals (especially horses), and people. Birds are the major source of the virus.
Clinical signs: Two forms affect birds: eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and western equine encephalitis (WEE). The clinical signs are identical and include reduced feed consumption, staggering, and paralysis. Surviving birds may be blind, have muscle paralysis, and have difficulty holding their head up. Damage to the bird's nervous system varies with species. In pheasants, there is pronounced leg paralysis, twisting of the neck, and tremors. Mortality is high. Chukar partridges and turkeys show drowsiness, paralysis, weakness, and death (see Table 2).
Transmission: Infected mosquitoes are the primary source of the virus. The Culiseta melanuria mosquito is the primary transmitter of the virus to poultry. Other mosquito species transmit the disease too, but feed mostly on other animals. Cannibalism of sick or dead birds by penmates is a major source of transmission within pens.
Treatment: none
Prevention: Remove the source of infection by establishing mosquito control: keep weeds mowed in a 50-foot strip around bird pens. This removes cover and resting areas for mosquitos. Eliminate mosquito breeding areas. Fog areas with malathion.
It is possible to immunize birds, especially pheasants, with the vaccine prepared for horses. The recommended dose is one-tenth of a horse dose per bird

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Unless it can take long periods to show up I don't think it would be Equine Encephalitis. We haven't had mosquitos in months and it's been thirty or below (mostly below) Since November. I do thank you for the information I just hope it's neither of those because both say no treatment and high morality. We chose not to vaccinate for Mareks when they were chicks because we planned on having them left as natural as possible. Maybe we over-thought it, but maybe not.

Also, can worms survive winters? I've never seen any beetles or bugs that are talked about in the articles in their coop, but that doesn't mean nothing is around. I haven't noticed any eggs in droppings or any peculiar droppings at all for that matter. Here's a quick view of our layout here. It's a 6' x 4' coop that is over 8' high. We have two levels of roosts. I use pine shavings that get cleaned once a week weather permitting. I only say weather permitting because this winter has been so harsh this year that there are weeks at a time where it is just too cold to put them outside and do a thorough cleaning. Usually those times I add a layer of clean shavings or straw on top. They have a fenced in run that has the heated water bowls. The coop itself is completely insulated and there is one light that is set up to a thermometer to keep it above freezing. Most days they are free run besides this terrible, terrible season.

Could this be because they have been in more? Maybe they're just over stressed and wore out? Can freezing temperatures get to a chicken like they get to a human? And do people still let chickens out in freezing cold, do they know when to head back in? I'm sorry for all the questions. I had bought all of these chicken books before we got any chicks last spring, but none mentioned these things and I didn't look ahead to question. Tomorrow we hit -50 to -60 degrees and I'm crossing my fingers that it doesn't cause more damage.

And I'm also sorry that sometimes my posts can bounce around a little. Now you know what my poor family deals with ha.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

They have tiny black mites on them. I would have never thought such a thing would survive this time of year. In the morning EVERYTHING gets stripped cold front or not. Thank you everyone for the help it is very much appreciated.