twisted neck

[Poison Ivy]

There some information about twisted neck in the Chicken Health Book. You might see if they have it at your local library to check out. I'm at work and the book is at home sorry or I would pass the information on to you.

Here this might help you look up what might be wrong.
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/diagext.htm

 

[CutestChickenFarmer]

Poison Ivy, great resource!

I checked it out, sounds like maybe botulism?

Sure hope you can save your bird, she's lovely.

Susan

 

[ruth]

Hi CZ - my belief is "never give up". Keep her isolated and keep feeding her high protein foods, vitamins and water. As long as she's "gobbling it up" I'm guessing she's hungry and isn't getting enough to eat outside with the others, especialy with her head twisted like it is (poor girl). I wouldn't keep putting her back with the others because she could have one of the many contagious diseases that do strike out of the blue even to a 1 year old hen. The case that she may have gotten something toxic is also a possiblity. I found that link and info earlier when I was researching Ruth's condition and I followed the treatment of mixing Epson salts with water and dropping it down her throat. That was the first step I took. Did that two or three times over that first day or two. Of course, I also mixed the watery food mixtures and gave her those as well. With Ruth, I'm still trying to cover all bases and am applying a broad range of treatments.

I sure hope your hen makes it. Trust in the Lord, say a prayer, and never give up.

 

[czgarcia]

Poison Ivy, that IS a great resource! And I agree with you Cutestchickenfarmer, it does sound just like Botulism. She now seems to be almost paralized in the legs and doesn't seem to move her wings either, so I'm not sure about them? She can untwist her neck long enough to peck at food for a few seconds here and there, then the effort it takes seems to get to her and she slumps back into the twisted neck on the ground position. I'm going to call my chicken lady friend who seems to have all the answers (and finds good homes to my excess roosters too!). I'll keep you posted, but it doesn't look too good for the poor girl.....

Another thing, I'd think if it were contagious, the rest would have shown some signs by now? She's had this strange twisted neck, off and on, for several weeks or a month even? None of the others pick on her or anything either, and she seems comforted knowing they are nearby (she "bocks" back at them when they start squawking). I don't know...

 

[dlhunicorn]

Botulism will usually present with a limber neck (meaning the neck hangs down)... there are many causes of this symptom and here is the link where I have stored some articles on this
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=emergencies&action=display&num=1160928615
...research studies have shown that in many of the cases of toxicity and such (so where the cause is not bacterial/viral or parasite >which would require additional medication to treat the cause) that vitE/selenium combination (this is part of the head injury treatment in the treatment article from Alan STanford) is very effective at helping the bird recover. I understand it is available in many agway and walmarts such a combination where the selenium is at the appropriate dosage ( 50 MICROgram) and I would urge you to start your bird on this... it can not hurt and may very well make the difference in recovery.

 

[czgarcia]

dlhunicorn, that is a LOT of info on twisted/limber neck. I have never seen it with my chickens before and at first (at least a month ago), when she first started leaning her head, I didn't think a lot of it, because upon watching her, she'd correct it an go about her chicken business. She just did it occationally and now that I think about it, I believe it was only at rest. She was able to make it up to the roost all the way up till the day I posted this. I suppose it could be inner ear disease, and has just gotten worse? She's in really bad shape now and I don't think she'll make it. I started her on the vit.e with the protein (eggs mostly, with a little cat food), and she was eating pretty well until yesterday, when she decided she no longer cares to eat and water seems to gag her. I've been putting food in her beak and dropping little bits of water in, but she's progressively worse. I should have started this treatment long ago, if I had only known it was something that needed attention.

 

[dlhunicorn]

...well, it is one of the reasons ("all that info") that I advise a regular complete supplement... so many little things that can stress your bird (causing low level malabsorption of nutrients creating an imbalance or deficiency)... your birds immune competancy is so intertwined with its daily nutrition and (and absorption of the nutrients from it).
Has your bird had a "cold" (respiratory infection)...an ear infection usually only follows such and is fairly rare to occur on its own... mites can also get in the ear (have you given an ivermectin treatment such as Ivomec Eprinex for instance?)
At any rate , if you can possibly do so I would suggest you also give a good supplement in addition to the E/selenium and B if she is really that bad as it is certain that her nutritional and therefore immune competance to deal with whatever is ailing her will be low. One such is AviaCharge 2000 from McMurry... give this to your entire flock on a regular basis particularly in times of stress such as heat, cold or disease strikes.
Perhaps if you have a vet in your area that can examin her ears for signs of infection or mites if you think this might be the cause? I do so hope she pulls through....

 

[czgarcia]

dlhunicorn, that's excellent advice and I'm sure the rest can benefit from vitamins as well. The main reason I've never even looked into it is because we have an automatic waterer and it's impossible to add suppliments to it so I'd have to add an additional waterer (I could do this). Is there a suppliment that get's mixed with their food? I'm going to check out the suppliment you suggested from Murry's... Thanks for all the help on this board. I'm very glad to have found it!

 

[dlhunicorn]

if you have an automatic waterer then I see the problem... you can add any of the supplements to their feed... I usually mix it in with the cooked oatmeal (I add just enough cooked oatmeal to make their feed "clumpy" >not only does this prevent wastage but according to a study I found mentioned in a cornell newsletter it will aid in digestion and absorption of nutrients)... or you can add to the yogurt or such.

 

[czgarcia]

so, are you saying to mix the vitamins intended for the waterer into the oatmeal in the amount recommended for the waterer and then just mix the oatmeal into their feed? I could do that!

Uncooked oatmeal?