What’s wrong with my roo’s neck?

[BucksBoo]

We have a two month old Roo that we noticed early on had something wrong with his wing and his bottom stayed dirty. We made sure when he was little to keep his vent clean. But as he got older we noticed his head began to turn and it’s almost like he’s looking back all the time. What could it be? Is it treatable? Is he contagious to the rest of the flock? If we keep him would it hurt the hens if he mated them? We wouldn’t use him for fertilizing eggs but we do let them all free range. Could it hurt us if we ate an egg that perhaps he had fertilizer? Also, what breed would you say he is? And am I right that it’s a he? Thank you.

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

No, eating eggs fertilized by him won't hurt. That's because it looks like your rooster has wry neck. There are several ways he could've developed it, but I'm leaning towards either a head injury or a vitamin deficiency. The first thing you have to do is separate him from the other chickens (not because it's contagious, but because it'll reduce stress and possible injury). You have to give him plenty of vitamins, particularly Vitamin E and selenium. You should also make sure the rest of your flock gets extra vitamins as well, to prevent them from developing wry neck. Are you giving them chicken feed? Because it should have the basic nutrients to have prevented this. During his healing time, you may have to help him eat and drink in case he can't reach it. It'll take up to a month to go away (it depends on the chicken though), but you should at least start to see some improvement.

 

[BucksBoo]

No, eating eggs fertilized by him won't hurt. That's because it looks like your rooster has wry neck. There are several ways he could've developed it, but I'm leaning towards either a head injury or a vitamin deficiency. The first thing you have to do is separate him from the other chickens (not because it's contagious, but because it'll reduce stress and possible injury). You have to give him plenty of vitamins, particularly Vitamin E and selenium. You should also make sure the rest of your flock gets extra vitamins as well, to prevent them from developing wry neck. Are you giving them chicken feed? Because it should have the basic nutrients to have prevented this. During his healing time, you may have to help him eat and drink in case he can't reach it. It'll take up to a month to go away (it depends on the chicken though), but you should at least start to see some improvement.

That’s great! I didn’t know it could heal. I will certainly be following this advice. Thank you so much!

 

[micstrachan]

x2 wry neck
Good luck!