Problem chick

[Mary]

I have a silky pullet about 6-8 weeks old that is having problems. If I stand her on the floor she is unable to stand, flaps her wings, kicks and goes in circles. The first time I notice her doing this she was doing flips also. She eats a little but only drinks if I put drops on her beak. Her neck is crooked and she turns her head upside down. Her neck feels kinked near the body and the head appears to be twisted at the base of the skull about 1/4 turn off normal. Does anyone have any ideas what is the matter and how to solve the problem.

Two days before she showed up 'injured' one of her siblings was picked up by a full sized rooster and shook around. Mamma Silky put an end to that. Might this be the result of rough handling by a rooster or goose?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Evy]

It just happens, possibly genetic...especially in crested birds... & there's no ''cure''. Put it out of it's misery.

[katschicks]

I think Silkies are somewhat prone to the symptoms you have discribed. It is genetic and part of the Silkie breed.

[tinag210]

If you're unwilling to cull you might try giving it some vitamin E. I have been told this sometimes helps. I did have a silkie chick one time that seemed to outgrow the problem and was fine later. It wasn't as severe as what yours sound like though - just turned its head upside down sometimes. I did also give it vitamin E.

[Angela]

Crooked neck...I've seen it before. I've never seen a chick survive it. As you mentioned, they cannot drink. Eventually they die. I'm sorry.

[Altair]

It could be a number of things. If you're feeding it a ration where it has sufficient nutrients then it's likely genetic or congenital and not likely to improve. Call it a case of misfortune and as Evy said, ease its passing.

[Mary]

I started supplementing with Rooster Booster in her water, which I drip into the slit between upper and lower mandibles. It works well that way to get her to drink. Even though she is doing better than the first day she goes all spastic tangling toenail in wings and flapping all over if she is not held in a near normal position. So, I may have to give up on saving her. Thank you all for your information.

[tinag210]

Unfortunately it sound like she is probably beyond help and should be put out of her misery.

[Mary]

Sorry to disappoint all you nay sayers. She is improving daily and currently is able to have her food bowl in the box with her. She has a hatching mate with her in the other half of the box most of the time, when not with her. She rarely ends up with her head upside down. She is able to stand and walk a bit. Her attitude is great and her eyes bright.

Just in case any of you care to attempt to save one that has this problem what I did was give her Rooster Booster, probiotics, crumbles with milk and barley and all the time I offered her grain whole and broken up. She is drinking well. When she tips her head up to swallow is when she is most likely to end up with her head upside down. She is usually able to right it by herself. I think this can be considered progress. I think she is going to make it.

[Mary]

Update on chicken with wrye neck/limberneck: She is behaving normally and is returned to her mates and hen. This morning she and the one that had been with her were put in my fenced backyard in a 3' square cage to play, eat and scratch. Their mama hen and sibling showed up and hung out around them. At noon I let them out and the family wandered around the fenced yard. A thunderstorm complete with shower took place mid afternoon. I ran out to make sure they were all OK. Mama was trying to get them into a roofed & chain linked area. I opened it so they could go in. Tonight she and the chicks along with the duckling that claimed the bantam mama as his own were all in the feed room settled in on the straw under the bench the feed barrels sit on.

Early on she got her toenails tangled in her wing making an open cut about an inch long. I treated it with a strong dose of colloidal silver and gave her a normal oral dose of colloidal Silver. Then she got her toenails tangle in her neck making a good size rip. I treated it the same way. Never had any signs of infection from either no any droopy symptoms from her. I wrapped her feet with vet wrap making in essence socks/boots with her feet open in the normal walking position.

Following my last entry I added yogurt & sugar to her wet food and gave her another dose of Rooster Booster. She gobbled it every time I offered it to her. Wish I had known the treatment process earlier in her convalescence because I think I could have reduced her confinement time from 10 days to 5 or 6 days. Hope this gives others who want to save a sick or injured chick, duck or goose encouragement to give it a serious try.