Wry neck from recent frost bite?

[sunnie7]

My chickens always go in the coop at night…except one rooster about 2 weeks ago when the temps were in the single digits for some reason didn’t…. I found him on the fence the next morning. He now has significant frost bite on his comb. So far he’s walking fine and toes look good. He’s been his normal self, eating and drinking, then today he started turning his neck a little to one side and kinda shaking his head a little, not too much but somethings definitely up. Advice on what’s wrong and how to treat?!

 

[Eggcessive]

For wry neck symptoms, I would give some human vitamin E 400 IU which comes in softgels. Then give some thiamine, which comes in some chick vitamins and in human vitamin Bcomplex 1/4 tablet daily. I would treat him for at least 2 weeks. I would make sure all chickens go into the coop in the late afternoon, and do a head count. Do you lock them up?

 

[sunnie7]

For wry neck symptoms, I would give some human vitamin E 400 IU which comes in softgels. Then give some thiamine, which comes in some chick vitamins and in human vitamin Bcomplex 1/4 tablet daily. I would treat him for at least 2 weeks. I would make sure all chickens go into the coop in the late afternoon, and do a head count. Do you lock them up?

I have an automatic door and they always go in at night. I have no new changes to flock dynamics or anything. I don’t know if it was because that was our first cold snap or what but he never gets out on the other side of the run where I found him.

 

[sunnie7]

For wry neck symptoms, I would give some human vitamin E 400 IU which comes in softgels. Then give some thiamine, which comes in some chick vitamins and in human vitamin Bcomplex 1/4 tablet daily. I would treat him for at least 2 weeks. I would make sure all chickens go into the coop in the late afternoon, and do a head count. Do you lock them up?

Would the cold and frost bite cause the wry neck?! Can the vitamins be purchased at drug store, Walgreens? How exactly do I administer/ give them to him? I’ve only had to give liquid medications to chickens!

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, most drugstore and Walmart sell vitamins. They are available online as well. I have never heard of frostbite causing wry neck, but it can be caused by a head injury, vitamin E or thiamine deficiency, certain respiratory diseases, and Mareks disease. Could he have been pecked or injured?

 

[sunnie7]

Yes, most drugstore and Walmart sell vitamins. They are available online as well. I have never heard of frostbite causing wry neck, but it can be caused by a head injury, vitamin E or thiamine deficiency, certain respiratory diseases, and Mareks disease. Could he have been pecked or injured?

I checked him over well and no visible injuries but he’s not my dominant rooster. My main guy is very well behaved but will put him in his place when need be but usually just normal pecking order behavior. However I guess it’s possible it got out of hand that day/evening and that’s why he didn’t go into the coop. Is shaking his head a sign of pain?

 

[Eggcessive]

He might be shaking his head due to the frostbitten comb. It is best not to rub or massage frostbitten skin.

 

[sunnie7]

He might be shaking his head due to the frostbitten comb. It is best not to rub or massage frostbitten skin.

I was advised on FB that I should cull him because his frostbite is so severe and he’s likely in pain???? I didn’t put anything on his comb because our temp and back below freezing again. I’ve checked the past 2 nights and he is going in the coop like he always used to. I’m not against culling if he’s suffering, I won’t take a chicken to the vet though.

 

[Eggcessive]

I was advised on FB that I should cull him because his frostbite is so severe and he’s likely in pain???? I didn’t put anything on his comb because our temp and back below freezing again. I’ve checked the past 2 nights and he is going in the coop like he always used to. I’m not against culling if he’s suffering, I won’t take a chicken to the vet though.

Sorry but I don’t agree with culling him because of that frostbite. But that is up to you. True, he will eventually have a smaller rounded off comb, but unless he has frostbite on his feet and legs, he can recover from the frostbite. He could be a good rooster or breeder someday. The wry neck is concerning, because of what that may be a symptom of. I would treat his wry neck symptoms with vitamins E and thiamine, feed him and water him. Let us know how that gets along.