Backyard Fowl Keepers

I have a 7-year-old Buckeye named Ethel who I suspect has wry neck. For years, she's occasionally dropped or raised her head and shook it, but now she's mostly "stargazing" and struggling to keep her balance. She's still eating, drinking, and grooming, but she stumbles backwards and seems to be deteriorating.

I've had her isolated and warm for two weeks, feeding her scrambled eggs with vitamin E and spinach, but there's been no improvement. She was once dive-bombed by a hawk in her youth, which caused some shock, but no physical injuries were identified at the time.

I'm not sure what to do next. I could use any advice, especially if you've dealt with something similar, or if anyone can guide me on how to let her go peacefully if it comes to that.

Thanks so much.

This sounds really difficult. If you're unsure about euthanizing, you might want to talk to a vet for advice about how to make that decision. They can also help guide you through a peaceful end if it comes to that.

Have you tried giving her some physical therapy? Sometimes gentle neck stretching or massaging the muscles can help with wry neck. It may not cure it, but it could help her feel better.

I had a hen with similar symptoms, and while we couldnt fully reverse the wry neck, we did get some improvement with high doses of vitamin E. It took a while, but maybe thats worth trying if you havent yet.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things to support her, but Id also suggest trying some herbal remedies, like valerian or chamomile, to calm her down. Have you thought about using a soft neck brace to keep her head steady?

So sorry you're going through this with Ethel. If the symptoms have persisted despite your efforts, it might be worth considering euthanasia to prevent her from suffering further. It's a tough decision, but her comfort is key.

You're doing a great job by keeping her warm and isolated. It's tough to see them suffer like that. I agree with others about checking for any possible deficiencies or neurological damage, but keep up the good care you're providing!

I'm so sorry to hear about Ethel. It's so hard when they're still eating and active but struggling. Maybe consult with a vet to see if there's something else going on? They can help guide you through the next steps.

Wry neck can sometimes be caused by vitamin deficiencies, but I'd also consider the possibility of nerve damage from the hawk attack. If things don't improve soon, it might be worth looking into putting her down peacefully.

I had a hen with similar symptoms, and while we couldn't fully reverse the wry neck, we did get some improvement with high doses of vitamin E. It took a while, but maybe that's worth trying if you haven't yet.