I hatched a batch of chick today and one had wry neck, also called toricollis, stargazing, twisted neck, etc. There are a number of factors that can result in this condition but mainly two in day olds. One is a genetic abnormality and the other is a vitamin/mineral deficiency. I have found that if the condition is caused by a vitamin deficiency it can sometimes be corrected almost immediately by giving oral vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. The recommended electrolyte replacement is Pediatlye or a product called AviaCharge. I have used Pedialyte for weak chicks with good results so I keep it on hand at all times. The easiest way to keep it and not waste an entire container is to buy the freezer pops. I store them in my pantry and pull one out whenever needed. The chicks seem to like the flavor and drink it easier.
For vitamin supplementation use a good baby vitamin without iron. PolyViSol is good but I could only find the store brand and it works just fine. The key is making sure it does not contain iron.
Vitamin E is given along with Selenium to help with the absorption.
You may want to research online before treating. I found a lot of differing opinions but here is the dosage I used:
- 2 TBS Pedialyte
- 2 drops Baby Vitamin
- 100 units (squirt out half a capsule)
- 50 mcg Selenium (1/4 tablet crushed)
I mixed the ingredients together and administered it a few drops at a time to the baby chick. You can apply it to the side of the beak with the eye dropper or put a drop on your finger and place it alongside the beak until it opens. I was holding the video camera in one hand so I ended up getting it all over the baby chick but it seemed to like the taste and did not fight it. I gave a few drops then waited about 3 hours and repeated. I will give another dose in the morning if the chick so any symptoms other wise I will consider it done.
Here is a video of the chick, before, during treatment and after. This baby made a miraculous recovery.
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Aw so sweet!!!
I have searched and searched for info on this. I had a chick hatched last week that ended up dying after I put it back under its mother. Another one hatched and was perfectly fine for two days and then developed the star gazer and whirling in circles.
I had looked up wry neck but all I could find was in adult birds.
I have been giving this chick olive oil and sugar water to try to keep it hydrated. It is eating a bit and tries to drink out of the syringe.
Getting the stuff tomorrow and will sure give it a try.
Thanks a million for the tip.
Bob
near Tulsa
Bo-Se is the injectable vitamin E and selenium that treats white muscle disease in mammals. It is the same deficiency as wry neck usually is in chicks. One of my perfect little 6 day old silkie hens is presenting with wry neck this morning. I knew immediately what it was but had to scrounge for a way to treat it. Thanks for the dosages. As to the turkey. A vet or a look in the Merck could help with a dose and the injectable would probably work great. Thanks for your help and I am so happy to see your blog.
I purchased eleven bantam chicks from Family Farm and Home about a week ago. I have one sebright chick that is spinning in circles sometimes and he twitches his head a lot, he sleeps with his head down by his legs and does forward summer salts occasionally. He will be like that one minute and then i will come back in and he is walking around with his buddies. I think it might be Stargazer disease but i’m not sure, please help ASAP
Sarah I am inexperienced with turkeys but you would probably be fine just feeding a few drops with an eyedropper like I did with the chick. My understanding is that it is more difficult to cure in
older birds than in chicks. Please post back and let us know how your turkey is doing. Good luck.
Mary
Mary. I made up abt 1/2C and have it out in the barn. Gave him 1 1/2 eyedropper full this evening… will give him some more tomorrow morning.
He started it a few weeks ago. If he’s standing up and puffing his feathers his head is usually fine. It’s when he’s laying down, that his head lops all over the place. I was afraid I’d have to put him down, I hadn’t seen him with his head up the last two days.. but this morning he was strutting around again… I found your post today, and knew this was what I needed to do to try to fix him.
I will keep you posted.
Oh, I sure hope it works for him and please do keep me posted. I understand turkeys are easy to get attached too. That could pose a problem for me as I have 15 Sweetgrass poults coming this Spring! Good luck with your boy.
Mary
My 2 year old turkey Tom has wry neck…. I am wondering how much of the solution you mentioned to give him….
I’m definitely going shopping.
Any advice would be welcomed.
Wow, great job Mary!