Update: Silkie Hen with Wry Neck

[Avan]

Oatmeal made huge improvements once I added the b complex (after dose 5 she was even walking around). After day 5 or 6 of the added b complex, however, she saw a drastic decline. She has come up from that decline but I am wondering if we are ever going to get past this. She has "seizures" occasionally (especially spurred on by being moved around) where her head falls down and whips in a circle rapidly. For a few days she could right her own head from this episode but now struggles to do so. Any more recommendations? She spends more time head up than head down these days for sure.

Anyone else have an adult bird with this severe wry neck recover to ? I won't be able to hand feed 2-3x daily forever.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Your original thread is linked below.

What do you feed her?

I'd continue with the vitamin therapy as suggested in Post#5 of the other thread.

She's a 7month old pullet and not well, so likely not laying eggs(?) I'd feed her either chick starter crumbles or an all flock crumble.
I see what looks like a loose type feed with bits of corn, if that's the feed, then I'd at least soak it so it's more incorporated to ensure she's not just picking through and eating tidbits she likes best and leaving the rest. Provide Poultry Grit (Crushed Granite) free choice.

As for the seizures, it can be difficult to know what's causing those. More than likely it's related to whatever has cause the Symptom Wry Neck. Silkies are more prone to neurological symptoms, so it may be Marek's you are dealing with or ?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wry-neck-adult-silkie-hen-vitamin-regimen-failing.1670496/

 

[Avan]

Welcome To BYC

Your original thread is linked below.

What do you feed her?

I'd continue with the vitamin therapy as suggested in Post#5 of the other thread.

She's a 7month old pullet and not well, so likely not laying eggs(?) I'd feed her either chick starter crumbles or an all flock crumble.
I see what looks like a loose type feed with bits of corn, if that's the feed, then I'd at least soak it so it's more incorporated to ensure she's not just picking through and eating tidbits she likes best and leaving the rest. Provide Poultry Grit (Crushed Granite) free choice.

As for the seizures, it can be difficult to know what's causing those. More than likely it's related to whatever has cause the Symptom Wry Neck. Silkies are more prone to neurological symptoms, so it may be Marek's you are dealing with or ?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wry-neck-adult-silkie-hen-vitamin-regimen-failing.1670496/

She is not vaccinated for Marek's, she was hatched from shipped eggs. Not laying an egg. She pooped an actual real nice looking poop for the first time in almost two weeks so that was a good sign.

That food is a fancy layer mix, but you're right it's pretty powdery and she does love the corn bits most. I usually end up mixing what she doesn't eat on her own with the egg and feeding it to her in plops like cat food almost.

I can keep this regimen another week or two. I'll read up on Marek's but I assume the other birds would also be exhibiting symptoms at this point. I have no other health issues in this flock.

Thank you kindly for reviewing! I'll update the post with any new developments.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is not vaccinated for Marek's, she was hatched from shipped eggs. Not laying an egg. She pooped an actual real nice looking poop for the first time in almost two weeks so that was a good sign.

That food is a fancy layer mix, but you're right it's pretty powdery and she does love the corn bits most. I usually end up mixing what she doesn't eat on her own with the egg and feeding it to her in plops like cat food almost.

I can keep this regimen another week or two. I'll read up on Marek's but I assume the other birds would also be exhibiting symptoms at this point. I have no other health issues in this flock.

Thank you kindly for reviewing! I'll update the post with any new developments.

Hopefully she'll start to improve.

Vaccination can help stop the formation of tumors, but will not stop infection from the virus, so birds can still end up sick regardless of vaccination status.

Not all birds in a flock would present with symptoms of the disease. Quite often one may only have a single bird in a flock over a period of years. A lot depends on the strain of the virus, breeds, etc. Unfortunately Silkies seem to be quite susceptible.

It can be extremely hard to know what is causing symptoms sometimes unless testing is done. So supportive care like you are doing is usually the best course of action.

 

[Avan]

Hopefully she'll start to improve.

Vaccination can help stop the formation of tumors, but will not stop infection from the virus, so birds can still end up sick regardless of vaccination status.

Not all birds in a flock would present with symptoms of the disease. Quite often one may only have a single bird in a flock over a period of years. A lot depends on the strain of the virus, breeds, etc. Unfortunately Silkies seem to be quite susceptible.

It can be extremely hard to know what is causing symptoms sometimes unless testing is done. So supportive care like you are doing is usually the best course of action.

Wow! I didn't know this about vaccination. Thank you for that. I'm going to continue for now and hopefully in another week or two we've improved.