What’s wrong with my chicken?

[megka03]

Hi, I got home from work and found one of my babies off all by herself acting very odd. She’s having trouble holding her head up. She hatched early February so she’s about 4 1/2 months old. She appears otherwise healthy, and is content sitting on our laps snuggling. Would this be wry neck? Or could she have gotten injured? There’s no sign of any distress or injuries and no other chicken is behaving like this. Should I separate her and bring her in the house for the night to rest or would that do more harm separating her from her flock? Thanks for any i sight!

 

[Criticalicious]

No, with wry neck, they tilt their head backwards also known as stargazing and it's more common in baby chicks. Check under the feathers around her neck for an injury. Will she take treats or drink water on her own? I would give her Nutri Drench for a vitamin and energy boost and see if she gets better on her own. It wouldn't hurt to keep her inside for a night or two if you are worried. Has it been hot where you are? Could she be heat stressed? Another possibility (although unlikely) is Mareks

 

[MROO]

Check her poop and post a picture. That should help with diagnoses. Do you have any Corid (amprolium) on hand? That's how my biddies' bout with coccidiosis started, and the Corid made all the difference in the world.

 

[Henriettamom919]

No, with wry neck, they tilt their head backwards also known as stargazing and it's more common in baby chicks. Check under the feathers around her neck for an injury. Will she take treats or drink water on her own? I would give her Nutri Drench for a vitamin and energy boost and see if she gets better on her own. It wouldn't hurt to keep her inside for a night or two if you are worried. Has it been hot where you are? Could she be heat stressed? Another possibility (although unlikely) is Mareks

I

I agree with all of this and would separate her as much for her sake as security for the others. I've heard nutridrench is wonderful when you're not quite sure what's going on.

How's her eating/water intake?

 

[megka03]

No heat.... been in the 60’s. She is eating and drinking now in the house so we’re snuggling her and giving her vitamins and electrolytes with some scrambled eggs. Hoping she just got in a scuttle and is gonna mend up with some rest.

 

[megka03]

I don’t have any on hand but I’ll run into the local hardware store and pick some up. I don’t have a poop sample. The flock free ranges all day.

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

got in a scuttle

??

 

[MROO]

I don’t have any on hand but I’ll run into the local hardware store and pick some up. I don’t have a poop sample. The flock free ranges all day.

That will be easier to get once you've isolated her - and it really does help others to identify issues. It's kinda like when your children are infants. You can tell an awful lot about a baby just by peeking in their dirty diapers!

 

[Criticalicious]

Maybe scuttle = scuffle? If you can't get Nutri Drench readily you can make an electrolyte mix with sugar and salt (Google recipes)

 

[Criticalicious]

That's how my biddies' bout with coccidiosis started, and the Corid made all the difference in the world.

I have to remember this for future reference in case this happens in my flock. Thank you.