Our chicks are 4 weeks old. About 6 days ago we noticed one of our Australorps was twisting it's neck under and doing all the typical wry/twisted neck stuff. We separated her (not knowing what it was at first) and really thought she'd just die. Well, she made it a couple nights fine and she was eating and drinking well. We started her on vitamins a few days ago and she seems to be doing pretty well. She still struggles some with the neck tucking thing, but besides that she acts pretty normal. Here's the problem, the other chicks peck her. We had her with the rest of the hens (5 other Australorps and 6 RIR's) for about a day and then they started in on her. It's not like they attack her, just a peck here and there. So now "Wrenny" is in chicken jail. We flipped over a small laundry basket in the brooder and she now resides in there with her own food and water. Long term, how is this going to work out? Will they ever accept her? I can't separate her forever. Julie
As sad as it is, the other chickens will never accept her. The pecking will get worse as they get older until one day they will kill her. This is natures way of insuring that the strongest survive and bear offspring.
Just posted about "wry neck" in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=168649 Hope this helps! Wry neck can be treated! It just takes patience and lots of love!
We have a special needs rooster. He had wryneck when he was 3-4 weeks old. We separated him from the rest and put a vry small quiet pullet in with him for company. As they greew I noticed he had problems eating from the feeder so we built him one that sits 5 inches off the ground He can just reach over and get the food without having to worry about being top heavy. Hes over a year now and is still in his own little run. Silky his hen is still with him and he is doing fine. His neck doesn't hang anymore but he still walks in circles. I guess we could have culled him but I just didn't have the heart. He will live out his life with us.
