Wry neck? Something else?

[AshleyBelle]

We have a 9 week old Black Australorp and she is contorting her neck in such a way that looks completely unnatural. I've done some researching about her condition hoping it's not a disease (given the other 11 chicks are fine) and found that giving Vitamin E and Selenium should help.

We brought her inside and seperated her from the others so she can get some extra attention and help. We've been doing this for 3 days and there's no change. She can barely not twist her head enough to eat out of my hand and isn't drinking much water. I am hand feeding her along with the vitamins but I don't feel like she's getting enough nutrients. They are all being fed Country Road Medicated Chick Starter Feed.

How long should this last? Are we doing what we should be doing? She just looks so miserable and helpless.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Michael Apple]

We have a 9 week old Black Australorp and she is contorting her neck in such a way that looks completely unnatural. I've done some researching about her condition hoping it's not a disease (given the other 11 chicks are fine) and found that giving Vitamin E and Selenium should help.

We brought her inside and seperated her from the others so she can get some extra attention and help. We've been doing this for 3 days and there's no change. She can barely not twist her head enough to eat out of my hand and isn't drinking much water. I am hand feeding her along with the vitamins but I don't feel like she's getting enough nutrients. They are all being fed Country Road Medicated Chick Starter Feed.

How long should this last? Are we doing what we should be doing? She just looks so miserable and helpless.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Encephalomalacia is not just a vitamin E deficiency. Old feed that has spoiled or kept in warm or humid environments can cause it. Too much cod liver oil can too. I would change feed as soon as possible. never store feed over 4 weeks, keep it in a cool, dry place like a clean metal garbage can in a garage or barn out of the sun. Vitamins you use should be labeled for poultry, just in case you aren't using that type. Never feed rancid fats.

Birds falling forward, walking unsteadily with necks falling forward, backward, or twisting side to side is often a symptom of Encephalomalacia (crazy chick disease). Vitamin A,D,E powder in waterers should be used every day until symptoms disappear. It wouldn't hurt to give a vitamin E capsule each day for 5 days. That should take care of it if there's no brain damage.

Here's some more information about vitamin deficiencies: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html
I hope your pullet recovers quickly.

 

[AshleyBelle]

Thanks for your response! The feed is kept in the house garage. It doesn't last for 4 weeks so we're good there. It's definitely not spoiled food because 1) it's kept properly, 2) it's changed at least twice a day if not 3 along with fresh water. What other feed is recommended? She's already getting medicated starter feed. Wouldn't the feed affect the other 11 instead of just the 1?

I did some more researching and found some more helpful information on this site and am going to try adding some Poly Vi Sol without Iron and Nutri-Drench and see if in the next couple of days her episodes start getting better.

Thanks again for your information!

I'll update in a couple of days

 

[subhanalah]

I would do just the nutri-drench and not both the drench and poly-vi-sol. Too many vitamins can be just as dangerous as not enough. Poultry nutri-drench is made specifically with poultry in mine and not mammals (poly-vi-sol)

 

[AshleyBelle]

Ok, I will definitely be getting Nutri-Drench this morning! Thanks

 

[Michael Apple]

Wouldn't the feed affect the other 11 instead of just the 1?

Poly Vi Sol is a vitamin supplement balanced and labeled for humans. You'd be better off with Poultry Nutri Drench.

Thanks again for your information!

I'll update in a couple of days

You're welcome. I hope your bird recovers.

 

[AshleyBelle]

I couldn't find Nutri-Drench but I found liquid vitamins and nutrients for poultry at our local Rural King. Before giving her this, she was already improving. She's standing taller, not as many episodes nor are they as severe, holding her head up better, not as many somersaults, pooping normal again...all I'm all, she's doing much better. If she continues to do well we will put her back with her flock and hope for the best. Fingers crossed!

 

[Michael Apple]

I couldn't find Nutri-Drench but I found liquid vitamins and nutrients for poultry at our local Rural King. Before giving her this, she was already improving. She's standing taller, not as many episodes nor are they as severe, holding her head up better, not as many somersaults, pooping normal again...all I'm all, she's doing much better. If she continues to do well we will put her back with her flock and hope for the best. Fingers crossed!

Good for you and the hen. Now be sure to treat the hen for 5 days even if it seems to be a full recovery now.