Silkie Holding Head To Side And Runs In Circles?

[clarkston_mike]

Yes....i cant wait to see them grow

 

[Jx2inNC]

I have a wry neck mottled Cochin that functions wonderfully now in my flock.
It was quite bad when he was younger...I may have even gotten him free because I knew no one would take care of him.
I did give him some vitamins in his water and it seemed to help.
Put him in the big coop and he got his face pecked so bad when I came home one day that his whole "top" side (held head to the side, of course) was one huge scab.
I was afraid he might not be able to see or that I would ultimately have to cull him.
Kept him inside for a little bit, then put him out in the small coop with much fewer chickens and he did great.
Now, I don't hardly think he holds his head to the side that much! I haven't noticed him going in circles for many months.

Cliff notes: wry neck bird can still wind up being a great bird in your flock. Give them a chance if you have the patience!

 

[Debbi]

Ok, I've had a couple of other breed chicks hatch with wry neck, due to shrink wrapping in the shell while hatching. But now, with my Silkies, I had a 5+ month old hen develop it. She has a vaulted skull, and I did see a cockerel peck her HARD on the head a few days before. She then turns up with wry neck about 3 days after I saw him peck her. I mean turn her head to the right until it was upsidedown! Gave her vitamins for a few days, but realized it was a brain trauma instead, and vitamins aren't going to help that! She went on like this for about 5 days, but looked normal until she got spooked or picked up; stressed. Then the weather changed dramatically, and got very cold for a few days, especially at night. Evidently, the cold helped reduce the swelling injury to her brain, and she is now back to normal! Something to think about with the older chicks/birds, try to reduce the swelling in their heads with a cold pack. First time here with Silkies, so this may not be a revelation to the old timers, but it worked here with the cold weather, so I am deducing that's what helped her. Would be interested to hear from breeders that have seen this as well!