Silky with limp neck please help

[pink_mumma]

hello
I have a few chickens, this perticular silky has a limp neck. It's not broken. She was very quiet yesterday, sitting by herself etc. But today, she sits and burries her head in as far as she can get it into herself like an ostrich in the sand. To get her to drink I have to pick up her head abd put it in the water, she won't eat. then out of no where she stands up has a little chirp then does the same thing. I massage her neck and she doesnt really like it.

Please can you help??

thanks
Nicky

 

[vtfarma]

I had a bantam silky with a similar issue (I think). She got better by being isolated and being given poly-Vi-sol vitamins, lots of really good fresh food and lots of love. Apparently what had happened with her was there was a full size roo that got into her pen and was pulling on her to mate and it had injured her little head causing swelling in the brain area. They do not have a covering over their brain like other chickens (not sure if silkies do but banties don't) its like a walnut just a line across the top and then open on both sides. So she had no balance and had a brain injury. She screamed every time she saw the big chicken come by. I finally figured it out when I caught the big roo trying to get back in to do the deed again. He was just about on her and you could see how the injury would occur. How awful. you can give prednisone also to reduce the swelling I believe its 2.5 mg 2 x per day... I will look it up. I would also get other opinions to be sure that full size silkies have the same issues as the banty babies. Its so hard to watch them when they are having issues.

I will search out the sights that were so helpful... this one was the one that saved her but they led me to a drs sight that was perfectly delightful with the doses and anatomy of my baby so I understood why it happened. I increased my security in my pen because of it. Sheis perfectly healthy now.

Good luck with your lady.
Laurie

 

[vtfarma]

try this post...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=187727

 

[kelc1220]

Wow, a brain injury? Now I'm really worried about mine learning to fly down off the roost! They are getting better, but at first a few hens hung around on the highest level, and then when they flew down they had trouble controlling where they landed. They have a large area to land in but I guess it's a learned skill. Never thought about brain injury though, like if they flew into the wall.

 

[vtfarma]

I guess I wouldn't overreact. Mine was almost ready to go back out to the barn after her first bout of having this injury and I had her in my arms in the kitchen. She flipped out and landed on her head - it must have been a 4 foot drop onto a wood floor. That didn't seem to do it, but the roo grabbing her head just a little started it back up again. I guess he grabs the brain. Thats the big roo, the banty roo is very gentle... no problems there apparently, I have not seen them actually doing anything but he is active and she is not having any further problems now that I reinforced her pen so that no other birds can interfere with my babies. I had wanted them to be able to free range but I guess they will get their own special run this year... maybe they will get the garden and their pen or something. I hate having birds cooped up.