I had a 12-13 wk old Ginger Red Silkie that went thru wry neck back in January and I was advised to follow Alan Stanfords treatment it was for an adult but I reduced the amount to adjust for his age. He was 95% better after the 3 wk treatment, and is now living with Buff Silkie hens on a friends farm. She's trying to breed his color into her hens. Don't give up on your babies they can be treated nearly back to 100%.
Here's the treatment if you want to try it:
Prednisone was suggested as symptomatic relief. Vitamin E and B complex are both good for neurological disorders. Selenium helps absorb vitamin E.
Here's what I do for affected birds. If started before symptoms get severe, the bird will totally recover. To give vitamin E - just cut the end off a human capsule and squirt it in the bird's mouth.
It is important to be sure the bird gets enough to eat and drink while it has this problem. Birds with severe cases of crookneck can't eat and drink enough to survive. You will need to gently place their head in the feed dish and carefully dip just the tip of the beak in water. Be careful not to dip too far into the water and to not stress the bird while trying to help.
The following is for an adult about 2 pound bird. Scale back for smaller birds.
For the first week I give
*Twice a day
2.5 mg of prednisone (5 drops for a 12 wk old bird)
400 IU of vitamin E
*Once a day
A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins
Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days)
For the second week I give
*Once a day
2.5 mg of prednisone (or 2 drops morning, 3 drops evenings)
400 IU of vitamin E- ½- morning, ½-evening
A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins
*Every other day
Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days)
For the following week I give
*Once a day
2.5 mg of prednisone (reduce every 2 days until the end of week)
400 IU of vitamin E- ½- morning, ½-evening
A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins
*Every third day
Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days)
Do not abruptly stop prednisone, the swelling rebounds, decrease dose gradually.
Vitamin E recovery can be slow; continue the vitamin E for several weeks at least.
You can get the prednisone from a vet; just describe the problem of swelling in the brain probably due to injury. Yes Silkies' brains do stick out through a hole on the top of the skull.
You can get the vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin B complex or liquid vitamins at any pharmacy.
I also bought Avia Charger 2000 from McMurrey it has minerals and vitamins that's is put in their water.
