Young chicken hurt by rooster

[Whitney Davis]

I believe one of my roosters (around 6 months old) tried to jump on one of my younger hens (around 4 months and she's VERY tiny). He hurt her neck and I've been dealing with what looks like wry neck but is not. I've given her extra vitamins and minerals trying to cover everything incase there was a detail i missed. This has been going on for several weeks. She roosts with two of her buddies but I've taken the 3 away from the roosters and then I had to separate the one last night and make a makeshift splint for her neck because it goes up and under her body and gets stuck there. During the day she seems to be fine and keeps up with the flock. She eats and drinks fine, but it seems to be getting worse and I'm not sure what to do. I can't afford to take my chicken to the vet and I don't think I don't believe she's suffering, it doesn't seem to hurt her too bad, it seems more just like a kink to her. Its very strange, help!!!

 

[sourland]

It sounds like a strain or sprain that only time will heal. Is it time to get rid of some of the cockerels ?

 

[Whitney Davis]

It sounds like a strain or sprain that only time will heal. Is it time to get rid of some of the cockerels ?

I really hope so. I guess I'll just have to keep her separated until she heals. The frustrating thing is I rescued them because they were injured and we thought that we wouldn't have this issue because they were born with defects in their legs. Thought i was doing something good but i ended up hurting one of my own! I should have known to keep them separated but atleast i do now. thank you!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Whitney Davis Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of your girl with the neck issue? Also, photos of the defects in the legs (we love photos, so if you want - their housing, the whole flock, etc., too.)

What type of food/treats are you feeding?

Separating the cockerels from the girls is probably a good idea. 6mo old boys are filled with raging hormomes and can fight over and injure the girls.

It sounds like you are doing what you can, provide your girl with poultry vitamins, extra protein and give her some time to heal. It could be that she is injured, but she is also at the age where a disease like Marek's could present itself - stress from the cockerels could make the symptoms worse.

We look forward to your photos and further information, please keep us posted.

 

[rebrascora]

Unfortunately Wyorp Rock has expressed my concern. An attack of Marek's Disease is often brought on by the unwanted attentions of adolescent cockerels with raging hormones. The fact that the boys were themselves showing lameness adds fuel to the fire.... I hope our concerns are unwarranted and it is just an injury.
Keeping your girls happy and stress free in a safe environment and well fed with good nutrition/vitamin supplementation to support her immune and neurological system, is the best you can do... and keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Whitney Davis]

Hi @Whitney Davis Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of your girl with the neck issue? Also, photos of the defects in the legs (we love photos, so if you want - their housing, the whole flock, etc., too.)

What type of food/treats are you feeding?

Separating the cockerels from the girls is probably a good idea. 6mo old boys are filled with raging hormomes and can fight over and injure the girls.

It sounds like you are doing what you can, provide your girl with poultry vitamins, extra protein and give her some time to heal. It could be that she is injured, but she is also at the age where a disease like Marek's could present itself - stress from the cockerels could make the symptoms worse.

We look forward to your photos and further information, please keep us posted.[/QUOTE

Hi @Whitney Davis Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of your girl with the neck issue? Also, photos of the defects in the legs (we love photos, so if you want - their housing, the whole flock, etc., too.)

What type of food/treats are you feeding?

Separating the cockerels from the girls is probably a good idea. 6mo old boys are filled with raging hormomes and can fight over and injure the girls.

It sounds like you are doing what you can, provide your girl with poultry vitamins, extra protein and give her some time to heal. It could be that she is injured, but she is also at the age where a disease like Marek's could present itself - stress from the cockerels could make the symptoms worse.

We look forward to your photos and further information, please keep us posted.

pics coming right at ya! They’re my babies so I have hundreds of pictures and videos of them haha.

 

[Whitney Davis]

Hi @Whitney Davis Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of your girl with the neck issue? Also, photos of the defects in the legs (we love photos, so if you want - their housing, the whole flock, etc., too.)

What type of food/treats are you feeding?

Separating the cockerels from the girls is probably a good idea. 6mo old boys are filled with raging hormomes and can fight over and injure the girls.

It sounds like you are doing what you can, provide your girl with poultry vitamins, extra protein and give her some time to heal. It could be that she is injured, but she is also at the age where a disease like Marek's could present itself - stress from the cockerels could make the symptoms worse.

We look forward to your photos and further information, please keep us posted.

I also included the vitamins & electrolytes im putting in their water now. I give them all flock and scratch grains at night but I’m switching her to just all flock tonight to keep the protein high. Like I said, she’s fine during the day but I’ll post pics of what happens with her neck. It’s scary and it hurts my heart to see her like that!

 

[Whitney Davis]

It’s very hard to take pictures of them haha!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What a great group you have! Nice place for them too

The vitamins will hopefully give her a boost. All Flock is what I feed as well, so that has a good protein content.

Is the one with neck problems one of your crested girls? Sometime a peck to the head or injury can cause them to have symptoms like you are seeing, since they have a vaulted skull which has a hole in it. It's good that she is drinking/eating. She may become more symptomatic at the end of the day since she is tired as well. It may stress her to much, but she may benefit from having her activity somewhat limited. A dog kennel or crate placed in the run or near the flock will help with that, but if it stresses her, then I would be inclined to leave her be and see that she gets the vitamins.

I hope she gets better soon - look forward to more photos.

 

[Whitney Davis]

Thank you!! Okay that makes me feel good. Yes! She's the smallest grey chicken, I think I uploaded two of her by herself, she's got brown on her neck as well, I named her Elvis haha. I tried to limit her activity yesterday and she freaked out by herself, then I put the other two in there and they kind of trampled her trying to get out. I think I'll keep her by herself at night. Maybe that's what happened too! I didn't see anything happen, I just came out one morning and she was laying on the ground with her head under her body. But thank you so much for your help and advice! I really appreciate it