Wry Neck in Chickens: It Literally Turns Heads!

What is it? How long does it last? Is it contagious? Can it be treated? I’ll cover it all in this short video! I hope nobody ever has to deal with this!

[@boobaby8888]

I'm pleasantly surprised to even find any videos about it! I've experienced it before. I've realized that others with chickens don't seem to know what I'm talking about or act like I'm crazy. This video will help! Thanks for posting and glad your chicken is ok!

[@cars8459]

As an animal lover I love this and what a good man for taking care of her!!! We need more guys like this

[@pretendfarm]

You’re making me blush ☺️

[@cars8459]

@@pretendfarm well I’m Car and I have not heard that in a long time, nice to meet you mr. Farmer. I’m guessing by the accent you are southern man. And I’m also gonna guess that with such a nice smile and kindness you are not alone. But I’m sure glad I could make a fella blush.

[@pretendfarm]

@@cars8459 The Pretend Farm is in Virginia. And yes, we are a whole family here pretending to farm. Glad to have you as a subscriber though! Stay tuned because we have a broody hen and I’m going to be posting A Lot about that over the next few weeks!

[@cars8459]

@@pretendfarm awesome looking forward! Btw why are you all called “pretend” ? Because your farm is small?

[@a_beeble]

I don't know what it is but the way chickens launch their neck forward when they walk make me feel like they are superior.

[@lisabuckley2303]

Thanks for the re-assurance of this video. In the South West of WA my locals have not heard of this condition - quite rare indeed. It’s a shocking sight to find your chicken this way . My 4 month old silkie developed it amd I have been nursing her/ watching her, dosing up on vitamin E oil and extra eggs , selenium etc and she can be good as good one day and up with her sisters snuggly in bed at night then on the floor in the corner alone with her twisted neck the next night . (I always pick her up and straighten her out gently and put her back up on the perch next to the others for warmth and comfort) Luckily she loves food and mostly can manage on her own. I dose up the water with multi vits and give her loads of love and cuddles. I did separate her at first but she still has a strong disposition and the other 3 girls are all still friendly. It’s frustrating and sad to see some days but others she is fine… 3 weeks , can’t give up, she is so adorable but I wish I could do more - any other ideas ?

[@pretendfarm]

Sounds like you’ve went above and beyond what most people would have done! Hopefully she will snap out of it soon! If I run across any other pointers I’ll let you know!

[@FarmWithMeNZ]

Thanks so much for making this video. I'm experiencing this with one on my newly hatched golden pheasants. Now thanks to you I have a plan to get him on the mend. 🐣

[@pretendfarm]

Awesome! Let me know how he does!

[@Lambda110]

Thank you! I have a Lavender Orpington going through the same thing on my pretend farm, and this was helpful.

[@pretendfarm]

It takes patience but they usually get better! Glad I was able to shed some light! Let’s pray it turns out ok 👍

[@sandywhitmer1851]

It looks like you're a miracle worker! You are such a kind and thoughtful farmer. Most would've just killed it or let the others peck it to death. You are definitely a wonderful caring farmer!!!❤👏

[@justonemorestoryfarm]

Great video! I am happy to hear your chicken responded so quickly to vitamin supplements. I had a chick with wry neck that responded well to Poultry Nutri-drench and made a full recovery. Your chickens are fortunate to have you taking such good care of them.

[@pretendfarm]

I’ll have to look into that! I’ll probably start giving supplements intermittently from now on to help prevent this from happening again hopefully! Thanks for the advice and kind words ☺️

[@Missj4eva]

How much do you guve them daily?

[@sekinatolajumoke5445]

Am experiencing dis for d first time on my later chicken, it's so scary, thanks so much for dis wonderful video

[@R-art2024]

God bless you my brother!!! Thanks 🙏 for your advice 👍👊

[@pretendfarm]

Anytime! Thanks for watching!

[@AbdulHamidSAYAD]

Thank you so much for your wonderful video

[@pretendfarm]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@lauramcguire2902]

Thank you for this info. Only thing ive seen on this subject. You never know whats in chickens lives.

[@TheBibleDIET]

Very helpful ! Thank you

[@pretendfarm]

Thanks for watching!

[@daveclark1904]

Just found one of mine with this issue. I made her a boiled egg and added some vitamin E and also mixed up some E in some water. Been having to hand feed her water in a syringe today but she's not eating much. Gonna keep an eye on her and keep helping her out and pray she's comes back around, literally!😂

[@WeAreCaylee]

We just found one of our chickens with this issue. We're not sure how long she's been this way because we're not the primary caretakers. We took her to our house and gave her some layer boost we had on hand. I'll try to get her to eat some eggs tomorrow. Thank you for this video.

[@pretendfarm]

Best of luck! It really takes some patience

[@TA-zj5yk]

I’m currently treating one of my hens who has it. I noticed it in her last night when she was laying in entry of coop area but wasn’t perching. We also have Mareks Disease which has complicated life with chickens since we didn’t catch it in time before it began to spread through the flock. This little Americauna is 26 weeks old so she has survived this far, yet we’ve found if they can make it thru egg laying they’re immunity seems to manage the disease. My hope is we can treat the wry neck and she’ll go on to lay eggs; and that this isn’t an addition to a possible Marek’s flare up. 🤷‍♀️ Thx for this as it’s exactly how I’m treating her now

[@pretendfarm]

Poor chicken! I’ve never had to deal with Marek’s and I’ve never had another chicken with wry neck since this one. That’s terrible you’re dealing with both! I hope it turns out ok for you!

[@rubyboya3330]

I just found one of our young hens with thus last night when I was doing my nightly rounds. It is sad to see her like this. We have isolated her and will be grabbing the vitamin E supplements. Thanks for the great advice and calming manner. Hopefully we can heal her up quick. Thank you

[@pretendfarm]

It takes some patience but it’s not a death sentence. Hopefully you can bring her back around! Best of luck!

[@Craftypillar]

Dealing with this right now with my favorite silkie rooster and hopeful he will recover enough to drink again. Im worried about him cause he is completely upside down overnight. This helped a lot thank you.

[@pretendfarm]

I hope he makes a full recovery!

[@Ginger6970]

Glad to find this video. We just had a mystery chicken show up acting like this. We have had chickens for over 20 years and never seen this before. Her condition isn’t as bad as yours, but she is very skinny. Hopefully Ashe will make a full recovery soon.

[@pretendfarm]

I’ve had a lot of success stories! I hope you’re one of them! Good luck!

[@georgeingridirwin6180]

Thank you so much for this video. Very encouraging!! But while my little quail isn't getting picked on by the others, I think it's time to separate it from the others.

[@pretendfarm]

Definitely doesn’t hurt to be cautious! Thanks for watching!

[@gretchenclapper8714]

We are dealing with a sever case of this. So hoping she makes it 😢

[@linniebb836]

I was told Wry neck can be caused by the Amprolium in the feed! IT prevents the absorption of nutrients. Or, they could have eaten a toxic plant? But I had been feeding my 8 babies the medicated crumbles. Was told to feed medicated until ready to lay. But then this happens! So no more mediated! My husband and I found laying her on her back and letting her head drop while massaging her neck prolonged her good posture for a longer period in between her bouts. We call it her therapy. I have zero idea, but seems to help. Plus of course electrolytes and Vit E. I am going to try the Eggs and others you suggest as well! Horrible to see her suffer so!

[@pretendfarm]

It can be caused by various things and the healing results vary as well. I do wish you the best of luck!

[@sacongo1624]

I used vitamin E pill the yellow clear type pop the hole in it squeezed the insides gel put it in the chicks mouth with a toothpick. Then gave it blended vegetables vegetables that I put in a blender mix it 50/50 in the food. The next day it was sideways by the third day it was right up and all better. This happens to captive chickens it's a lack of vitamins. Chicken that roams free will rarely get this. Happened to a one-month-old bird of mine. It was barely eating with its head upside down but it pulled through.

[@pretendfarm]

That’s great! Thank you for sharing what worked. I’ve gotten mixed feedback and different people seem to have better luck with different methods. I give them vitamin supplements in their water from time to time and they have not had this issue ever again. I agree vitamin deficiency definitely seems to cause this, although I know fighting/injury can also cause it too. Thanks again!

[@user-by1hq3wm5h]

I have a hen that for some time had a limp. Thought she had just injured herself as couldn't see anything physical. After a few weeks she got a wry neck and could barely walk. I have been doctoring her for 2 days. Giving her crushed multi-vitamin containing Vit E & Selenium in warm honey water as I couldn't get a chicken vitamin liquid from my stockfeeders. She is eating and is pretty perky but having to use a dropper to give her the nutrients. Still not much improvement although tonight she drank water herself. I will keep at it.

[@pretendfarm]

If she had a limp as well then it sound like she may have gotten attacked. Hopefully you get the kinks worked out!

[@AlishaH-bs1sd]

Sure as crap did this morning. Went out to check on my chicks and found one like this. Scared the shinanigans out of me. I brought her in and did a frantic google search and found out about wry neck. Fingers crossed it doesn't take her long to recover. Do you think it would be ok to mix those vitamins on some scrambled eggs or tuna? As of right now I haven't gotten her to eat, but I will be trying out eggs and or tuna. Wish me luck!!

[@pretendfarm]

I’d just add the vitamins in her water since drinking is something she will be doing out of necessity. I’d go ahead and give all the chickens some vitamins as a precaution. Hope she recovers for you!

[@tracyhocking9387]

For the first time, I have new chicks with head tilt. Thanks for the advice

[@pretendfarm]

Never heard of that with new chicks. I’m curious to see how that turns out. Best of luck!

[@arkrazor22]

How did it turn out for you? I have a chick with a terrible head tilt, pretty much dragging the head on the ground. Occasionally, it will find the strength to carry its head mostly up but then it will drag its head again.

[@chicken_whisperer8959]

Good job

[@pretendfarm]

Thank you!

[@maryjanepartlow7267]

My chickens head is upside down and she is walking in circles. Can she fly? If I bring her in my house is she gonna fly around and break crap? Btw; your a great chicken dad and yes I am a “pretend farmer” 😂😂😂

[@Mimi4UEyesNotBlue]

Mine starts shaking and backing up, actually will do a somersault before it stops. I bought Poly vi sol without iron, giving drops 3x/day. This is Day 4. I hope it is wry neck snd not seizures.

[@pretendfarm]

Poor chicken. I’m not sure what to say about that one. Let me know how it turns out!

[@charleshensley2289]

Awesome we’re dealing with the same thing 😊

[@pretendfarm]

Best of luck to you

[@selmahedlund9207]

I'm dealing with this now with a 6 week silkie (I heard they a predisposed to this) and I'm just worried that her being so little and sensitive to stress is making things worse! I found her this morning with wry neck and separated her from her siblings and I've had to feed her with a syringe, egg yoke mixed with crushed up vitamin E and selenium. She just lays around and looks like she is dying and it's so heartbreaking! She wants to be with her siblings and when I let her out a bit, she perks up around them but I can't leave her alone with them since I want to monitor her.

[@pretendfarm]

It’s possible that she was being bullied by her siblings. Try to keep a special eye out for that! Best of luck!

[@selmahedlund9207]

@@pretendfarm Thank you! I'm pretty sure she wasn't actually, I've been watching them closely for the past two weeks and they are a tight group since they all hatched together! She perks up as soon as she sees them and walks around upright around their enclosure, but then she will flop over with her neck twisted. As I keep her to herself for treatment, she won't stand up at all. She won't eat by herself and I have to syringe feed her, which she hates. This wry neck business is so painful!

[@pretendfarm]

@@selmahedlund9207 it’s very difficult and success isn’t guaranteed. I hope she gets better!

[@selmahedlund9207]

@@pretendfarm thank you!

[@selmahedlund9207]

She recovered after six days of vitamin E!!! It's a miracle! She developed sour crop on top of wry neck but we treated her with Nystatin for three days and now she is fine and back with her siblings. She is a bit smaller than the others from the whole ordeal but eats and drinks without problem now. I am beyond happy!

[@redheadheatherj1]

Vitamin E 3x a day I fixed it with that. Eggs have selenium in them which helps their body absorb vitamins .

[@pretendfarm]

That’s awesome! Did you crush it up in their food or do you add it to the water?

[@SarfarazJUNEJO-du2eo]

So cute 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@stephanieguthrie5186]

How long did your chicken stay like Like that? I'm currently dealing with a hen going through it right now. It's the most saddest thing i've seen i've seen. It just seems so painful. I gave her a droplet of medicine today but today is forty eight hours. We have to hold her to feed her. Otherwise she lays there and flops around

[@pretendfarm]

Yeah, that can really be hard to watch. Mine lasted about two weeks. It takes a lot of patience. I know this is strange, but I noticed that mind it better once I took her outside during the day and put her in the yard. Towards the end, it would straighten out during the day and then go back at night, but she would be fine all day. Maybe try giving her a little recess alone where she doesn’t have to worry about being picked on. Just an idea.

[@janetwoodward1557]

I have a chicken that started doing that and I have many chickens for years and never seen this ty for what I need to buy I been giving her vitamin E cut the top off the gel and put it in a lil water every day it’s been 3 days and it’s not helping

[@pretendfarm]

Supposedly it can take a month in some cases. Try the tuna. Hopefully it gets better soon!

[@JaimeBlackBird]

Here is some info that I hope will help!: Torticollis (wry neck) can be idiopathic, but some known causes include trauma (injury), infection, neurological/endocrine dysfunction, and various nutritional deficiencies (B vitamins-esp Riboflavin, Thiamin), Selenium, and Vitamin A, D, E. I have a hen with chronic/intermittent torticollis…she suffered *severe* head/neck trauma when was brutally attacked by one of my adult hens when she was 4 months old (I honestly can’t believe she survived-it was horrendous!)…the torticollis didn’t appear until several weeks after the attack, so I suspected that it was due to a nutritional deficiency-she was eating, but just not enough apparently. Anyway…long story, short (NOT) 🙄🥹: I have successfully treated her condition using the following supplements: 1. Enfamil Poly•Vi•Sol (*without* iron): it’s a supplement for human babies-you can buy it at CVS, grocery store, Amazon, etc. - 1mL/day via oral syringe 2. Bragg Nutritional Yeast: health food section of grocery store, Amazon. - 2 teaspoons/day: sprinkle 1 teaspoon on scrambled eggs twice a day. 3. Rooster Booster Poultry Cell: buy it at Tractor Supply Company, Amazon, etc. - mix into drinking water (1oz/30mL per gallon of water), or administer (undiluted) 1-3mL per day via oral syringe. Depending on your confidence/skill level, you may want to consider administering all of these supplements via tube/crop feeding…this is now my method of choice-it’s very quick, convenient & effective! …here’s a great instructional video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoeWhYF-qcl3p9U You’ll want to treat your rooster daily (EVERY SINGLE DAY) until you see improvement…it can take several weeks, so just keep up with it! Best of luck!

[@georgeingridirwin6180]

I'm not sure but I heard that with an oil based vitamin E it'll take longer. So I am looking for a food based way. So I guess our chick will get my asparagus. Oh well I'd rather my quail get better.

[@anthonyheard360]

just happened this am, maybe last night,,,been feeding her spinach, and tubing her some water, buying some vitamins in liquid form.

[@pretendfarm]

Hope everything turns out good for you!

[@aubreyowens5825]

I had a chick that had wry neck and she sadly died. I think I have another one starting some symptoms. Do you know if I can give the layer boost to chicks?

[@pretendfarm]

They actually make electrolytes specially for chicks. They’ll be available at the same stores that would have the layer boost. I’d try those. Sorry your chicken died. They don’t always recover and sometimes there’s just nothing you can do. Good luck with the chick!

[@Ishara-bi8bv]

Can we give normal vitamin E tablets that are used by men. My chicken is sick (can't walk properly)and also have wry neck.

[@pretendfarm]

I’m not sure if that would work or not. Probably safer to give the foods so they don’t overdose 😉

[@m.saiyamtanveerahmad141]

What type of supplements should be given in this condition? 😢

[@pretendfarm]

Vitamin E and Selenium!

[@maherqadri]

I did everything to my rooster but its been a year since his neck is downwards 😔. Do regular massage twice in a day help?? Because i feel like this bone just bent that way and physiotherapy might work on him.

[@pretendfarm]

That might be more of a permanent injury if he still hasn’t gotten better in that amount of time. I hate to be the bear of bad news, but I don’t know what else you can try.

[@maherqadri]

@@pretendfarm Ok thanks for the reply.

[@pretendfarm]

@@maherqadri sorry I can’t offer any good advice. Best of luck

[@JaimeBlackBird]

That’s so sad! Poor guy-He must be very uncomfortable! Here is some info that I hope will help!: Torticollis (wry neck) can be idiopathic, but some known causes include trauma (injury), infection, neurological/endocrine dysfunction, and various nutritional deficiencies (B vitamins-esp Riboflavin, Thiamin), Selenium, and Vitamin A, D, E. Did your rooster ever get into a fight, or injure himself in some other way? You said you tried “everything”-What specific treatments have you tried? And for how long (how many days/weeks/months)? I have a hen with chronic/intermittent torticollis…she suffered *severe* head/neck trauma when was brutally attacked by one of my adult hens when she was 4 months old (I honestly can’t believe she survived-it was horrendous!)…the torticollis didn’t appear until several weeks after the attack, so I suspected that it was due to a nutritional deficiency-she was eating, but just not enough apparently. Anyway…long story, short (NOT) 🙄🥹: I have successfully treated her condition using the following supplements: 1. Enfamil Poly•Vi•Sol (*without* iron): it’s a supplement for human babies-you can buy it at CVS, grocery store, Amazon, etc. - 1mL/day via oral syringe 2. Bragg Nutritional Yeast: health food section of grocery store, Amazon. - 2 teaspoons/day: sprinkle 1 teaspoon on scrambled eggs twice a day. 3. Rooster Booster Poultry Cell: buy it at Tractor Supply Company, Amazon, etc. - mix into drinking water (1oz/30mL per gallon of water), or administer (undiluted) 1-3mL per day via oral syringe. Depending on your confidence/skill level, you may want to consider administering all of these supplements via tube/crop feeding…this is now my method of choice-it’s very quick, convenient & effective! …here’s a great instructional video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoeWhYF-qcl3p9U You’ll want to treat your rooster daily (EVERY SINGLE DAY) until you see improvement…it can take several weeks, so just keep up with it! Best of luck!

[@PatriciaValentin-fd9re]

We just a chicken and that happen to this like your chicken

[@peanut3050]

I have a hen with this right now---and it looks a lot like a seizure---thank you.

[@pretendfarm]

Best of luck!

[@christysmith5211]

Still dealing with it. I thought it was a Vit B deficiency . I will up the E now Anyone else have any tips? I’ve been treating my little guy for about six months with goat gel

[@pretendfarm]

It might be a permanent injury or maybe something neurological. I don’t want to be a negative Nancy but I’m out of ideas. Hopefully someone else can suggest something that gets him straightened out!

[@christysmith5211]

@@pretendfarm thank you for responding. Yes it maybe. Silkies are prone to this I’ve read.

[@pretendfarm]

@@christysmith5211 I’m sorry 😞

[@SarfarazJUNEJO-du2eo]

Markes disese problme medison name

[@jgbros9069]

I have a chick with this. I’m not sure she can even eat. I have separated it from the rest but not sure what else I can do

[@pretendfarm]

Not much else you can do. Hopefully after a day or 2 she will be able to eat/drink. If you can get some vitamin water in her that would be best. You might have to use a syringe 😞

[@noemi915]

My brother killed his rooster cuz he woke up with a crink in his neck and it’s 100% curable

[@pretendfarm]

Most people would probably do what your brother did. It takes real patience and time to help one recover and it’s still not a 100% guarantee. Fortunately this is a fairly uncommon condition and you’ll probably never see it again!

[@dwayneshephard2575]

Wish I woulda seen this 10 min ago. I just had to put my girl down. Thought she was a gone’R. So I put her out of her misery. I feel poopy now

[@pretendfarm]

You saved yourself a lot of trouble. Sometimes they get better, sometimes you go through all the work just to end up putting the chicken down anyway. Sorry about your loss 😞