How to Treat Wry Neck in Chickens: Symptoms and Treatment

Inside: Knowing how to treat wry neck, or “crook neck”, as well as ways to prevent it in the future is really important for your flock.

Wry neck is a condition often referred to as “crook neck” or “twisted neck” that typically affects young chicks and ducklings, although adult chickens can suffer from it too. This neurological disorder affects a chicken's head position and control, making proper care essential. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms, provide treatment, and prevent future cases is really important for your flock's well-being.

This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.

Table of Contents

What is Wry Neck in Chickens?

Wry neck is a neurological disorder affecting a chicken's nervous system, causing the twisting of the neck and inability to maintain an upright position. This condition can manifest in different forms depending on the exact cause of wry neck and the bird's age.

Birds with wry neck cannot hold their heads up on their own. As the condition progressively worsens, affected birds start to fall over or lie on their backs, unable to walk freely. Without intervention, this condition can be fatal – something no chicken keeper wants to face.

These birds have little control over their head/neck, causing them to easily crash into objects, potentially causing additional injuries. The condition is often fatal simply because affected birds cannot eat or drink water independently, leading to dehydration and starvation if not assisted.

Get updates & freebies delivered to your inbox!

Wry Neck Symptoms

Recognizing the signs of illness early can go a long way toward successful treatment. Common wry neck symptoms include:

Head twisted to one side or upside down
Inability to maintain an upright position
Loss of balance, falling over frequently
Difficulty eating and drinking independently
Circling in one direction
General weakness and lethargy

Causes of Wry Neck

Vitamin Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies are among the most common causes of wry neck. Birds fed an incorrect diet lacking vital nutrients can develop this condition. Specifically:

Vitamin E deficiency is frequently linked to wry neck
Low vitamin B levels, especially thiamine (B1)
Selenium deficiency often accompanies vitamin E issues

Genetic Factors

Certain chicken breeds are more prone to developing this condition, particularly through head injuries. This includes both Polish and Silkies because their skull structure doesn't offer the same protection found in other breeds. Due to their distinctive head plumage, they're more likely to be pecked by other birds sharing the same chicken coop.

Other Causes

Marek's disease (also known as fowl paralysis) – a viral infection that can affect the nervous system
Head trauma or injury
Infections or toxins
Congenital issues (present from birth)

Sadly, you may also consider culling birds that are showing no significant signs of recovery after a period of time.

Best Way to Treat Wry Neck in Chickens

No matter what has caused the condition, it's important to separate any bird with wry neck from the rest of the flock to prevent them from being picked on or trampled.

Step 1: Create a Recovery Space

Set up a quiet, comfortable space where your chicken can recover without stress. A small, padded box or cage with easy access to food and water works well. Keeping stress levels down is crucial for recovery.

Step 2: Nutrition and Supplements

The right nutritious diet and supplements are essential for treating cases of wry neck:

What you need to treat wry neck yourself:

Vitamin E supplements (50-100 IU daily for chicks, 200 IU for adult chickens)
Selenium (works synergistically with vitamin E)
Thiamine or Vitamin B1
Non-iron Polyvisol for children is also recommended (one drop twice per day)

For a healthy chicken diet during recovery, provide:

High-quality chicken feed appropriate for their age
Wheat germ or wheat bran (excellent sources of vitamin E)
Sunflower seeds (good source of vitamin E and selenium)
Nutritional yeast (rich in B vitamins)

No matter the cause, increasing Vitamin E in your birds' diet is worthwhile. Don't expect immediate results—treatment will take a few weeks to show effects, which is why it's important to start supplementing as soon as possible.

Step 3: Supportive Care

You'll need to provide hands-on care for your affected bird:

Assist with feeding and drinking several times daily
Wrap your bird gently in a towel to prevent flapping while you help them eat
Use a shallow, thin-lipped waterer to prevent drowning risks
For chicks or birds having trouble drinking, you can soak some bread in fresh, clean water before feeding (not recommended for ducklings/ducks)—this helps avoid aspiration of liquid into their lungs

Prevention of Wry Neck

Preventing nutritional deficiency is much easier than treating wry neck. Here are some preventative measures:

Feed a complete, balanced chicken feed appropriate for your birds' age
Provide vitamin supplements during stressful periods or seasonal changes
Ensure proper brooder temperatures for young chicks
Protect vulnerable chicken breeds from bullying or head injuries
Add natural vitamin E sources to your flock's diet regularly (sunflower seeds, wheat germ)
Monitor your flock for early signs of illness

If you are looking to start raising chickens but are not sure where to start? This ebook has everything you need to know about chicken raising. You learn about housing and coop requirements, what to feed your chickens, and how to keep them healthy. This ebook is your one-stop guide to successfully raising chickens!

Long-Term Outlook

Wry neck is not an easy, straightforward, or quick ailment to fix. You have to be prepared for the long haul with any bird suffering from this condition. With proper care and nutrition, many birds—especially young chicks—can make a full recovery over time.

For older chickens or severe cases showing no signs of improvement after several weeks of dedicated treatment, you may need to consider quality of life decisions. Many backyard chicken keepers have gone the distance with their beloved birds and seen remarkable recoveries, so patience and consistent care can go a long way.

Remember that each case is unique, and some birds may recover completely while others might always have a slight head tilt but still enjoy a good quality of life as part of your flock.

By understanding this condition and being prepared to provide the necessary care, you can help your chickens overcome this challenging health issue and return to a happy, productive life in your backyard flock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fix wry neck in chickens? Check your hen's ears and mouth for evidence of a fungal problem or infection. Supplementing Vitamin E and a course of antibiotics should help to correct the condition although often it corrects spontaneously, and some hens are normal most of the time with an occasional twist.

Is wry neck painful for chickens? It is stressful and will cause them to starve. It is unsure if they are in pain initially.