Sick Chicken, twisted neck walks in circles, tail feathers down.

[melokia]

Hi All,

I have a sick chicken for the last two days. Looking for advice on issues. She was in a corner when I went to let her out yesterday morning, head down and twisted (see photo). When I went back to check after calling my husband and running kids to school I couldn't find her as they were all out and about the yard, and none stood out as the sick one.

Last night I again went to shut their door and all were roosted up but her, she was in the corner with her head cooked, but not on the ground. This morning my son when to let them out and she was head down again. The tender heart he is gently picked up her head and she just got up and walked outside!

I've seen her eating today, but she couldn't find her way into their trap door- almost like she was walking in circles by the fence. She is pecking lots and we've put a dish of water down on the ground as I'm worried she can't get water from the upper feeder. When we pick her up she does this awful twisting of her neck like she's dizzy. I'll post a video later.

Changed their feed a couple months ago from organic crack to pellets, but no other changes.

Thanks for all and any advice.

 

[chicklover 1998]

sounds like wry neck, eggcessive or casportpony should be able to help I know vitamins help but can't remember which ones, oh and welcome to BYC.

 

[Eggcessive]

When I click on the video it says that it is private. She is showing signs of wry neck (crook neck, torticolis) and that is a neurological symptom of certain diseases, from head injuries, or from a vitamin E and selenium deficiency. I would get some Poultry Nutri-drench, Poultry Cell, or regular poultry vitamins and start them. The first two contain selenium, but if you use regular vitamins, you should give her a little egg, tuna, or some ground nits or seeds for selenium. Was she vaccinated for Mareks disease? Wry neck can be very common, and she may need some help getting enough to eat and drink. Adding some water to a small amount of feed, and holding her to eat a few times a day may help. Let us know how she gets along.