Chicken Health | WRY NECK

How Can I Tell If My Chicken Has Wry Neck?

You might notice a bird with wry neck if it has difficulty standing, its neck appears twisted, or it seems to be constantly looking upwards. Unfortunately, birds affected by wry neck often struggle to hold their heads up, leading to them falling over or lying on their backs. 

Aka Crook Neck, Twisted Neck or Stargazing

Wry neck, also known as crook neck, twisted neck, or stargazing, is a condition in poultry where the neck muscles and nerves are disrupted, causing the bird to lose control of its head and neck. This can result in the neck being tilted backward, towards the ground, or sideways, sometimes with a twist.
Wry neck can affect chickens of all ages, but it's more common in chicks.

Symptoms

• Twisted or tilted neck
• Inability to hold the head up
• Difficulty standing or walking, with potential for falling or lying on the back.
• Trouble eating and drinking
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Stargazing (looking upwards)

Can a Chicken Live with Wry Neck?

Yes, your chicken can definitely live with wry neck. We know it can be upsetting to see one or more of your birds with neck twists. The good news is that with a bit of time and patience, this is a treatable condition. Most importantly, chickens with wry neck often face the risk of not being able to eat or drink properly, which can be serious. They may also struggle to move around, making them vulnerable to being trampled or pecked by other chickens. But with gentle care, your chicken can recover and continue to thrive.

What Causes Wry Neck?

Wry neck can be caused by a combination of factors, including vitamin deficiencies, head injuries, and genetic predispositions. Less common causes include botulism, ear infections, and disease.

• Vitamin E and Selenium: A deficiency in these vitamins is a common cause, particularly in young chicks.
  These deficiencies can lead to nerve and muscle damage in the neck, causing the characteristic twisting or tilting of the head.
• Vitamin B12: This vitamin is crucial for proper brain function. A deficiency can lead to neurological issues, including wry neck.
• Head Injuries: Trauma: Falls, collisions, or even a forceful peck from another chicken can injure the neck or head, resulting in wry neck. Crested breeds with a delicate skull are more susceptible to this. Hatching Problems: Improper hatching can cause nerve damage in the neck area.
• Inherited Predisposition: Some chickens may be genetically predisposed to developing wry neck, making them more susceptible to the condition.

Prevention

By now, you know that wry neck usually happens because of a lack of vitamins, so it’s really important to keep your birds well-nourished with a healthy, balanced diet. Like so many health issues, it’s much easier to prevent neck twists than to treat them after they happen. If you notice crook necks in your chicks, it could be a sign that your parent chickens aren’t getting enough vitamin E. While most chicken feeds are designed to include the right nutrients, you might want to add some vitamin-enriched foods. A natural source of vitamin E, such as sunflower seeds - which are also rich in selenium - is a great treat that can give your flock a nutritional boost and make snack time extra special!

Treatment

Dealing with wry neck can be a slow process, but with patience, you can help your chicken through it. Once you start giving a vitamin supplement, you might notice some improvement within 24 hours, but remember, the journey isn’t over yet. Over the next few days, your chicken’s condition may change a lot - sometimes worse before it gets better. Stay consistent with the vitamins and be patient; it can take up to a month for your chicken to fully recover. After your chicken is feeling better, continue with the vitamins for about two weeks to help ensure a full and healthy recovery.

Advice from Charlot 😊
If you ever receive a question: 'What do I do with chicken or duck hatchlings which throw their little heads backwards and start paddling around and backwards (Wry neck or Star gazing)', definitely start adding some Brewer's yeast and the contents of a Vit. E capsule to the food as soon as possible. Our ducklings showed the signs one hour after they hatched and we are now in week three. There is an absolute improvement and they have finally started to grow as well. They are a lot calmer and are able to get some sleep which appeared impossible.