Silkie chick with extra head movements. Neurological? Or just a vision thing?

[thecatumbrella]

I have a 2 week-old Silkie chick named Goose. Goose will sometimes display extra head movements. Think about how chickens behave when they're trying to see in the dark, or if you're carrying them and they need to adjust their heads to keep up. She came like this on Day 1. It's not all the time (maybe 5-10%), but it is every day. I see it more if she's been spooked or if one of the other chicks knocks into her. I have a second Silkie chick that does not display this behavior.

I'm new to Silkies and can't tell if it's neurological or just a vision problem. She does have lots of fluff around her eyes that probably impedes her sight from the front and up above. I'll attach a photo.

Lastly, I've been giving them Rooster Booster Poultry Cell (diluted per the manufacturers instructions) in their water for about six hours every 3 days. I've heard Silkies can be B1 deficient and saw this product recommended as a top off. I know Poultry Cell has a lot of other vitamins in it, so I want to be mindful of overdoing it. Any feedback on this technique would be appreciated as well.

Thoughts? Should I stay the course unless she gets worse? I am prepared to give B-complex + E directly to boost her levels, but that requires some physical restraint and I don't want to hurt her pin feathers at this age.

Thanks for your help!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm actually going to answer my own question. She got into a fairly prolonged head-bob trance while trying to eat this morning, so I'm just going right to high-dose B + E supplements. Not worth messing around. My feeling is that the Poultry Cell is good for maintenance, but not actual treatment. I'll update if/when we see an improvement. Our last chick with neurological issues responded quickly (maybe a week or two?) Fingers crossed that Goose is just as successful!