silkie is twisting over backwards and upside down, udate Please help:(

I used to have a Polish that had a similar problem. In his case, it was a bizarre genetic defect; I think it had something to do with the hollow bubble that forms the crest. But he improved with daily treatments of Hypericum (I have the dosage on my site linked in my sig poultry health > supportive therapy > green treats and homeopathic remedies). Keep her restained if she's hurting herself.

 

Yes, this happens often with crested breeds. Listen to others' responces and see if any will work. If you find she still struggles to survive, then I'm sorry, there isn't anything you can do but put her out of her misery. She'd only get worse with time.

 

Find some information on Newcastle Disease and see if she sounds like this could be it.

 

I wish you the best of luck Marlakaye.

 

Well that's silly. Homeopathic remedies often work better than modern medicine, and if she has the same problem as my Polish it is the only thing that will help her. It's cheap and it won't hurt her. It does sound very very similar to my bird's issue.

The problem with crested breeds is that they have a hollow bubble on their skull that forms the crest. Sometimes this bubble leaves a whole in the skull where the brains can spill into the bubble. I'm not sure but when this happens I think it can cause neurological issues like your silkie and my polish. I could be totally wrong though, it's just my theory.

It's not silly at all. Chickens are wonderful animals. *hugs*

 

I have one of these silkies, and from my research it does seem to be related to their adorable little mutated heads. Mine had her first episode about 1 1/2 years ago - possibly from a rough rooster grabbing her head. I put her on supplements known to be good for the brain - Ginko, B complex, selenium (we live in a selenium deficient area of Ca.). Also 2.5mg prednisone for swelling. when she was at her worst, I'd have to help her eat. after about a week, she started gaining control over her head. Eventually she got right again. Seems like she relapses if traumatized. Needless to say, she has her own little area when outside - no competition, no roosters jumping her. She comes into our spare bathroom at night, out in the morning. She hasn't been on pred or extra supplements now for about 4 mos. She's the kind of silky whose feathers completely cover her eyes, so we clip and shave so she can see her food. Otherwise we can toss her treats and she is completely oblivious. It's not easy being a silky! Good luck!

 

When giving Selenium be sure to give in combination with vit E. Do a search for Alan Stanford recommendations. DLHUnicorn has his 'recipe' in her archives of her site. Very informative and I have had success with several who had possible brain injuries or limber neck.

 

Quote:I was going to mention the same thing! It could have wry neck. Vit E is supposed to be good for that. Alan's website is BrownEggBlueEgg. He knows what he is talking about. I had one that had a wry neck one time and didn't know what to do, so I had to cull her. So heartbreaking.......If I would have been aware of Alan's articles, I probably could have saved her!