What's wrong with my pullets neck?

[NCIndiaBlue]

I noticed yesterday that one of my pullet's neck is crooked, like it's stuck going to the right. She seems to feel ok. I've included some pics, since it's a little hard to describe. Anybody ever seen this?

 

[miss_jayne]

she's full. her crop is nicely stuffed.

 

[miss_jayne]

does it go away later and come back???

 

[NCIndiaBlue]

Quote:
I just noticed it yesterday. I picked her up and felt of it because it looks like a knot, but it's soft.

 

[threehorses]

Did she ever right her neck?

Otherwise, the technical name for this is "torticollis" and it's a symptom most often in nutritional deficiency issues (in younger birds) but also in some diseases.

I see a crooked toe in the background - are any of the chickens having more than one crooked toe on their feet?

We also need some background flock information - always - to give you an accurate answer. If you could please answer the questions from here https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569 into this thread, it would be greatly appreciate it. That gives us a good start.

Are you feeding a good fresh-smelling growing crumble to these birds - at least 95% of their diet? If you aren't, please let us know.

In the mean time, I would highly recommend purchasing a good poultry vitamin/mineral supplement and using that for a week in their water. Also I would highly recommend using a little yogurt (1 tablespoon per bird) in a quickly eaten wet mash made each morning for a week. You can actually dampen with a slight amount of milk but mostly water - til just damp after it soaks in - not wet or soupy. I'm wondering if this isn't riboflavin deficiency. But I'll look for your reply.

Also please check all birds thoroughly for any signs of respiratory problems, and her for injury. Be sure to 'feel' their breathing as well as listen closely, note any drainage on any bird.

Thanks!

 

[NCIndiaBlue]

Quote:
I am feeding fresh 16% crumble, mixed with 28% medicated starter, grit and some Diatomaceous Earth. They get Vitamin's added to their water a couple of times per week. They free range during the day. The bird in the background does have a one crooked toe, none of my other birds have that.

1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Cuckoo Maran pullet, about 2-3 months old, I'm guessing around 3 lbs.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Her neck is crooked, like it stuck towards the right of her body.
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Nothing that I'm aware of
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I am feeding fresh 16% crumble, mixed with 28% medicated starter, grit and some Diatomaceous Earth. They get Vitamin's added to their water a couple of times per week.
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Looks normal
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Vitamin Water
8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Would like to treat myself
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
See pics
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Free range during the day, large coop at night, she usually sleeps on a perch off of a dirt ground.

Thank you for your help!

 

[threehorses]

Thank you for the reply. Well, the next thing I would do would be still watch for any signs of a respiratory illness. (Torticollis is associated with pastuerella which also often includes excess mucus - is treatable with Sulmet specifically.)

You could try treating nutritionally in case of a nutritional imbalance. Vitamin E is indicated for neurological issues. Vitamins B are indicated for deficiency.

For vitamin E, you could use an oil capsule intended for human use. 400-700 iU of E would be the capsule strength. If they contain selenium, make sure it's LESS THAN 50 MICROgrams of selenium. Selenium helps the E absorb but you don't want to overdo it. If you cannot find that E capsule, use a regular straight E. You will snip the end of the capsule with scissors or a knife and put into the chicken's beak.

For vitamin B, you could either buy a b-complex vitamin, or brewer's yeast. Brewer's yeast can be sprinkled either on the feed or mixed into a quickly eaten very small damp treat (crumbles dampened with a little plain yogurt provides an other form of riboflavin).

I would do both of these daily for a week and see if you see any improvement. Then reevaluate with us.

 

[miss_jayne]

well i am learning something here for sure. thank you threehorses! you are a bevy of medical advice!!! (i am saying that sincerely!)

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Thank you.

I love the information, and unfortunately I've had a lot of these experiences before I learned how important a short list of basics are.

And unfortunately even if you do all things right, sometimes feed isn't stored well and degrades, or the mix gets done wrong, etc.

But lemonaid from lemons as they say !