Wry neck and not a big busted bird.

[MRS McKlucky]

My hen Nugget had been looking strange to me. I thought she was becoming heavy breastfed, ignorant I know but I'm a fledgling and still finding my feet as far as chicken keeping goes.
I decided I wasn't happy with how she looked and started researching and came across wry neck!
She was becoming unbalanced but her feeding was OK and she was not losing weight.
I started treatment 4 days ago and already she is more active, less wobbly and looks better. I'm treating her with vit E capsules 2x 400mcg strength (cut capsules and squeeze out fluid into a shot glass) adding 1 crushed selenium tablet 200mcg and a dash of honey and 10ml of boiling water.
I mix thoroughly by which time it's cooled and then administer directly into Nuggets beak in little bursts making sure not too much to make her uncomfortable
I've done this once a day and will do a o for two weeks. My other hens are fine and have a very varied diet but I will add foods a few times a week high in vit E so as to avoid this horrible affliction in the future. She's actually enjoyed her first dirt bath in 2 weeks today, via a ramp!

 

[Pork Pie]

This is new member Introductions. I’ve suggested to mods that your thread be moved to another forum to optimise feedback

 

[Eggcessive]

How does her crop feel first thing in the morning? It should gradually fill up with food and water during the day, and empty overnight. If it feels full in the morning, she may have a crop problems. Does she stand afound hunched or puffed up with her head drawn into her shoulders? Is her neck twisted to the side or up or down? Wry neck includes a twisted neck, and can also include running in circles, or walking backward. It is a neurological symptom of many different things, including vitamin E or thiamine deficiency, head injury, and may be seen in some diseases such as Mareks and others.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm treating her with vit E capsules 2x 400mcg strength (cut capsules and squeeze out fluid into a shot glass) adding 1 crushed selenium tablet 200mcg and a dash of honey and 10ml of boiling water.

How old is she?
I agree with @Eggcessive check her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks. You mention giving 200mcg of Selenium. Everything I have read shows about 25mcg of Selenium. While it is beneficial in the uptake of vitamin E, Selenium in large quanities over time can be toxic. A little egg or tuna contains enough Selenium sufficient for the uptake of E.
I would also add vitamin B1 to the routine. 1/2 tablet of B-Complex would be good.

Also, just curious as to what you normally feed and what is in the red feeder in your photo?

 

[Eggcessive]

Looks like sunflower kernels in the feeder. Are they getting layer or flock raiser feed mostly?

 

[MRS McKlucky]

How old is she?
I agree with @Eggcessive check her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks. You mention giving 200mcg of Selenium. Everything I have read shows about 25mcg of Selenium. While it is beneficial in the uptake of vitamin E, Selenium in large quanities over time can be toxic. A little egg or tuna contains enough Selenium sufficient for the uptake of E.
I would also add vitamin B1 to the routine. 1/2 tablet of B-Complex would be good.

Also, just curious as to what you normally feed and what is in the red feeder in your photo?

View attachment 1520608

The feeders contain layers pellets, the 2nd has mixed seed and corn, the next is chick mash for my three 7 week old silkies, then a dish of chickens gravel and shell. Her crop is fine, I keep an eye on all my hens for this since my warren 'CHOW CHOW' had a blocked crop. I cured that eventually with gentle massage over 5 days and live maggots.
Her regular diet... Back to 'Nugget'(she's 22 weeks old) is water melon, grapes, brocoli, cucumber, carrots, spinach, wholemeal pasta, egg shells, peas, rice, meal worms, oats, etc. All in moderation of course. Thanks for the I'm put for the other vitamins

 

[MRS McKlucky]

How does her crop feel first thing in the morning? It should gradually fill up with food and water during the day, and empty overnight. If it feels full in the morning, she may have a crop problems. Does she stand afound hunched or puffed up with her head drawn into her shoulders? Is her neck twisted to the side or up or down? Wry neck includes a twisted neck, and can also include running in circles, or walking backward. It is a neurological symptom of many different things, including vitamin E or thiamine deficiency, head injury, and may be seen in some diseases such as Mareks and others.

H

How does her crop feel first thing in the morning? It should gradually fill up with food and water during the day, and empty overnight. If it feels full in the morning, she may have a crop problems. Does she stand afound hunched or puffed up with her head drawn into her shoulders? Is her neck twisted to the side or up or down? Wry neck includes a twisted neck, and can also include running in circles, or walking backward. It is a neurological symptom of many different things, including vitamin E or thiamine deficiency, head injury, and may be seen in some diseases such as Mareks and others.

Hi there.
No her crop is fine.
Her head is held really far back, she wasn't walking round much or venturing along ramps or into the dust bath like the other silkies do.
She would lose her balance easily, so was either hesitant or unable to do much.
Her neck doesn't feel twisted. I have to say I have treated her on vit E once a day over last 7 days and was intending to do so for 7 more, then stop. She has made marked improvements! She's started walking along one of the ramps and has dirt baths now and gas even started running a bit and can stretch her wings without nearly falling over anymore.
After that just add black sunflower seeds and boiled eggs twice a week to all my hens.
I'll research some more. To be honest I read something chicken related daily.
Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions