Taking Care of Swirls, the Wry Neck Silkie

[NubbyRyuu]

Have you tried a hanging cage cup that is about chest high?
I've never used a nipple water bottle before so can't make any suggestions on that.

That's what I've been looking into. I'm just not sure how I can rig it to the cage.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's what I've been looking into. I'm just not sure how I can rig it to the cage.

You may have to look in a pet store or online for cups for cages. Something like what's pictured below may work for you.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063KH86/?tag=backy-20

 

[NubbyRyuu]

You may have to look in a pet store or online for cups for cages. Something like what's pictured below may work for you.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063KH86/?tag=backy-20

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Oh my god, I swear I'm an idiot. I kept thinking about those poultry waterers I forgot about those types of cups. I'll definitely have to check those out!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh my god, I swear I'm an idiot. I kept thinking about those poultry waterers I forgot about those types of cups. I'll definitely have to check those out!

There's so many products out there, it's hard to keep up with it.
I would try something like that. Place it about chest high and see if she can drink from it.

 

[NubbyRyuu]

I have to go to Walmart tonight anyway, I'll see if they have anything.

It's honestly been a long while, I forgotten all about those. The folks and I used to have ferrets, and we used a similar setup. And my Kiju's food and water bowls just went in those sliding doors on the cage. But you are right; there's so much out there it's astounding.

 

[NubbyRyuu]

Swirly's just a bit upset with me this morning after last night. After banging around in her cage for a while after putting her to bed, she stopped after I had to clear my throat. This morning, she doesn't have as much energy, but I'm sure she'll perk up when I return after work. She's gotten so attached, she goes nuts when I leave the room. Hopefully what happened last night and our little talk this morning will get her to realize things.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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Swirly's just a bit upset with me this morning after last night. After banging around in her cage for a while after putting her to bed, she stopped after I had to clear my throat. This morning, she doesn't have as much energy, but I'm sure she'll perk up when I return after work. She's gotten so attached, she goes nuts when I leave the room. Hopefully what happened last night and our little talk this morning will get her to realize things.

She was banging around in the cage? Was she trying to get out or was she having a neurological episode from the Wry Neck?
Stress can make symptoms worse for sure.
Are you planning on keeping her?

 

[NubbyRyuu]

I'm pretty sure she just wanted to be with me. She's been holding her head up perfectly (though still some tilting when stressed). She still has spasms from time to time, but it's usually just the head shakes with it curled in. She did the same thing to me another night. When I go to check on her, she stands there like, "About time! Now cuddle me!"

I'd like to, but it's gonna depend on what the flock does and how she responds. I'm trying to get her to drink normally and hopefully get her to eat dry food. If she can't do either or both, it's gonna lead to another convo, probably a big one. I still think either way she's gonna be a house chicken. But I wanna view her future as neutral for now so I can watch what she does.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm pretty sure she just wanted to be with me. She's been holding her head up perfectly (though still some tilting when stressed). She still has spasms from time to time, but it's usually just the head shakes with it curled in. She did the same thing to me another night. When I go to check on her, she stands there like, "About time! Now cuddle me!"

I'd like to, but it's gonna depend on what the flock does and how she responds. I'm trying to get her to drink normally and hopefully get her to eat dry food. If she can't do either or both, it's gonna lead to another convo, probably a big one. I still think either way she's gonna be a house chicken. But I wanna view her future as neutral for now so I can watch what she does.

Well, it's something to start considering whether she's going to recover enough to be able to live with a flock or not. A lot of course depends on her health, but flock dynamics can be tricky at times. What breed(s) does the flock consist of? Integration can be slow and hard on a single chicken. With her health, stress of integration may make her symptoms re-appear. The cause of her Wry Neck needs to be taken into consideration as well - is it Marek's, genetic/developmental disorder? Vitamin therapy has helped, but if the cause was "just" vitamins, then she would have bounced back in a few days. What is the plans for her future? Personally, she would be fine for a "pet" but should not be bred - whoever keeps her, are they fine with feeding a chicken that may have problems in the future, is a breed that is not that productive (eggs) and should not be bred.
All these things need to be thought through now instead of later. A lot of people keep a house chicken, but if she is so dependent on her "human" that is causes anxiety every time they are left alone, is it really good for her overall health. She may do better if she has a companion/friend and is kept in a separate coop/run so she can be outside and do chicken things.
I'm just thinking while typing and throwing some things out there for you to think about. It looks like she's doing pretty good and you have done a good job taking care of her.

 

[NubbyRyuu]

Well, it's something to start considering whether she's going to recover enough to be able to live with a flock or not. A lot of course depends on her health, but flock dynamics can be tricky at times. What breed(s) does the flock consist of? Integration can be slow and hard on a single chicken. With her health, stress of integration may make her symptoms re-appear. The cause of her Wry Neck needs to be taken into consideration as well - is it Marek's, genetic/developmental disorder? Vitamin therapy has helped, but if the cause was "just" vitamins, then she would have bounced back in a few days. What is the plans for her future? Personally, she would be fine for a "pet" but should not be bred - whoever keeps her, are they fine with feeding a chicken that may have problems in the future, is a breed that is not that productive (eggs) and should not be bred.
All these things need to be thought through now instead of later. A lot of people keep a house chicken, but if she is so dependent on her "human" that is causes anxiety every time they are left alone, is it really good for her overall health. She may do better if she has a companion/friend and is kept in a separate coop/run so she can be outside and do chicken things.
I'm just thinking while typing and throwing some things out there for you to think about. It looks like she's doing pretty good and you have done a good job taking care of her.

This is all true. I've just held a "cross the bridge when we get there" attitude towards it to make it easier on myself so I'm not losing my mind or end up viewing it in an unfavorable light, y'know? I'd like to try and reintroduce slowly to the flock, just to see. If they act aggressively, then she won't be able to rejoin. If they accept her without too many issues, then I know she'll be able to be around them outside and learn how to be a chicken. I've befriended a few of them, and some of them come up to my house throughout the day, so if I can catch them right, I could start with them. Either way, everything will be supervised.

The vet did give her a clean bill of health aside the wry neck. She examined her and said it was a vitamin deficiency, and her stool sample came back negative for anything else (which means the occasionally red stuff is either stress or intestinal shedding). When Swirly was first being treated by Cin (my neighbor with the chickens), she was with some younger chicks who huddled with her, was given water via syringe almost ever half hour, and only being given Poly-Vi-Sol. This went on for a week until I took her (and also because her husband wanted to end her suffering in a not very humane way). Now she's had it for just about 3 weeks, and I've had her for 2. This is what I have going:
•1 Vitamin E softgel (1×/morning only)
•Vitamin B Complex (4 drops 2x/day)
•Poly-Vi-Sol (4 drops 1x/night)
•maybe half a pinch of Turmeric (all feedings)
•Shaved Brazil Nut (small amounts)
•crushed Roasted Shelled Sunflower Seeds (maybe twice-three times a day, sometimes once a day)
•broken up pieces of Coconut Flakes
•very small amount of Chick Grit (1x/day, usually lunch, sometimes every 2 days to be safe)
•maybe once a day a drop of honey
•only on occasion a small bit of molasses, just to keep things moving

I know she wouldn't be able to be bred, though I'm sure she'd still be a good egg layer, unless that becomes too much, then we may need to talk spaying. Her and her siblings' parents were Show Chickens, so there's a good chance something was missed. I doubt she could be one herself (but who knows?) since those are stressful scenerios. I plan on getting her a chicken diaper (found ones on Etsy I like) and see if I can attach like a key ring or something so I can put a leash on it; the small dog harness isn't working, lol. That way she won't get too far away or try to bolt (which she can't run too well yet; still hasn't reconfigured herself fully). She is walking forward more and keeping her head up nicely, standing nice and strong, trying to dust bathe on my snuggie, preening like crazy, doing nice stretches, and even perching on my shoulder. She's so close to being recovered! Every day is a new baby step! I also plan on posting the videos I have on youtube so I can share them here.