Wry Neck in Chickens

Wry neck can be a major source of concern for chicken owners and farmers, as it can impact the growth and development of the chick and long-term health issues for adults. Early intervention and treatment is essential to ensure the bird can lead a healthy life. There are various treatment options available, including changes to diet, specific medications, and physical therapy exercises. Consulting with a veterinarian or poultry specialist can be beneficial to determine the best course of action for your chicks. With proper care and attention, baby chicks with wry neck can recover and thrive.

Birds who exhibit wry neck should be separated from others. This helps prevent further injury to ill chicks and allows for easier treatment since they can be fed and medicated separately. When at all possible, make sure birds with wry neck are still nearby others as complete isolation can stress them. Wry neck is not contagious by itself, so there is typically no need for complete quarantine unless a veterinarian recommends it.

Since nutritional deficiency is one of the primary known causes of wry neck, most treatment plans start with a careful assessment of the diet. Immediately begin to feed a diet that is rich in vitamin E, selenium, and B vitamins. Vitamin E is typically the most critical, but other vitamins can help with balanced distribution and absorption. Vitamin supplements can also be added separately to food or water as needed. 

Baby chicks will often struggle to eat and drink when they have wry neck. It can be very useful to give them some aid with food and water. You may be able to simply hold the bird’s head in a good position, or you may need to use a towel or cloth to give support. If the bird cannot drink enough, a syringe or dropper can be used to offer water directly. Be very gentle when dropping small amounts of water in the beak and do not attempt to use force for food or water. If your birds have a severe enough case to need extra vitamin supplementation in addition to diet, continue to use the added vitamins for a couple of weeks after improvement begins. Once you transfer your birds off of added supplements, continue to feed a diet that has all of the dietary requirements so the condition doesn’t re-occur. 

If your veterinarian suggests pain relief, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or other medication, follow all those directions for as long as is recommended.