Sick chick, twisting head, backing up??

[mc3681]

I have a 4-week-old giant black who suddenly started acting strange an hour ago, she twists her head under exorcist-style towards her belly, laying down, eyes mainly closed, backing up. Any ideas?? Google pulls up nothing with these symptoms. I've checked her over for injuries and I see nothing, her 15 brooder mates are perfect.

 

[mc3681]

I take that back, she's not really laying down much. She's standing up and backing up with her head between her legs, once she hits the wall she continues to stand and twist her head under between her legs. It's so odd! Poor thing

 

[mc3681]

Her poop is mucousy-clear. I need to find that poop chart.

 

[Eggcessive]

This sounds like wry neck, which is a symptom, more than a disease. It can be caused by a vitamin E and selenium deficiency, a head injury, or from diseases such as Mareks or respiratory diseases that can cause brain inflammation. Dehydration or coccidiosis could also cause it. Treat with poultry vitamins and electrolytes, and give a little egg daily for selenium.

 

[mc3681]

She's not able to eat or drink though, she's twisting her neck under so bad and twitching so that she isn't able to. I'm afraid to use a dropper for fear of aspiration as she's not putting her head up.

 

[mc3681]

With wry neck, don't they normally twist their head to the side or up? I've seen chicks like that as a kid, it was a long time ago but this chick is different. She's putting her head down in between her legs, literally doing somersaults. I've never seen one do that before.

 

[mc3681]

Ok I'm giving her electrolytes/vitamins in a dropper, I'm not sure how much she's really getting. This really sucks because she's one of my favorites! I'll be so shocked if she pulls through. Poor thing

 

[dmac1]

I sent you a PM. This truly sounds like wry neck to me.

 

[mc3681]

4 hrs after starting handfeeding/watering with vitamin water and mash and she's better! She's still having fits every few minutes but she's normal in between and able to eat on her own. Thank goodness!

 

[FridayYet]

That's good news! You might want to try some hard boiled egg yolk mashed up with water once in a while. It's really helpful.