Chicken keeps moving/waving neck

[MrsDaffy]

In the last couple of days I've noticed one of my chickens keeps moving/waving its neck from side to side - not quite sure how to describe it. As I'm new to chicken keeping I'm not really sure what is normal behaviour for them but it seems to be getting more pronounced so there's definitely an issue there. She's still feeding and scratching and laying but does seem a bit off. Does anyone have any suggestions what it could be or what I should do?

[Scarlet]

Is it just side to side? Looking up? Just occasionally or all the time. Try searching wry neck or stargazing on the Internet.

How long have you had your birds? How old are they and what are you feeding them on, it could be a feed deficiency (just thinking out of the box really as you've also got a hen laying soft shelled eggs.)

[MrsDaffy]

The soft shelled chicken is back to normal after a couple of days and it sounds like it might be common with the breed. This one seems to be almost twisting her neck from side to side and it seems to be getting more pronounced and more often. It's sounding like an impacted crop - she's very greedy and just swallows down any treats. We've had the birds about two months and they've been laying for a month. They have layers pellets in a feeder plus I scatter them a small handful of mixed corn with sunflower seeds and grit so they can forage. In the afternoon they get some greens and an occasional treat. At the moment I've not given them anything but layers pellets.

[Scarlet]

Is her crop empty in the morning? If it's still full that is impacted crop.
When you are feeding greens are you chopping it up, long grass and the like can cause compacted crop, it get stuck. To be honest, greens are good but best left for them to peck at eg, cabbage heads or broccoli. Layers pellets have all the nutrition they need especially if they have a large run on grass where they can peck at stuff. Often giving treats in the summer causes more problems than it's worth.

Personally I'd stick to a handful of corn as a treat scattered late afternoon.

[MrsDaffy]

It's only today that's it's got very noticeable so I'm going to check the crop tomorrow morning to make sure. The greens have been chopped up but I did chuck them a few dandelions and there might have been some longer grass in with them so that might have caused it. They've decimated the grass in the run so that's why I've given extra but we're going to build a moveable run that will go on the lawn so they can peck at that. Think you're right with the treats. Just feel sorry for the poor chook as she looks uncomfortable.

[Scarlet]

It's only today that's it's got very noticeable so I'm going to check the crop tomorrow morning to make sure

Early days yet then, you may be worrying over nothing. Fingers crossed.

Think you're right with the treats.

Unfortunately I learnt the hard way, when I first had chickens the first summer they all pretty much gave up laying! My kids were little and constantly feeding them, corn makes them fat and doesn't give them enough nutrients for egg laying. Similar story for greens. If they don't eat enough of their layers they don't lay as well.
I often hear people say years ago chickens free ranged all day without any feed but I'm sure that they didn't have hybrids that produce an egg most days, they need the nutrients. Although it's the same with kids they would much prefer treats!

[MrsDaffy]

Definitely an impacted/blocked crop now. We separated her last night and kept her off food and her crop was still full this morning. She's ensconced in the shower and we're trying the massage thing - it's quite soft and squishy so trying to make her vomit. Poor thing actually went to sleep while I was massaging her so not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

[Scarlet]

How is she doing now? You're not having much luck.
Have you tried her with a drop of olive oil?

Heres a recent thread which might help.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rop_80136.html

[MrsDaffy]

Thanks for the thread. We fixed the sour crop with vomiting and lots of natural yoghurt so she's been fine with that. However the blockage is still there and her crop isn't emptying overnight. She's just on pellets and has gained weight and has been laying again for a week. Been giving her olive oil and massaging every day and this morning I gave her maggots (advice from an uncle…) to see if that helps. She's full of beans and inquisitive as normal so I guess time will tell.
Lots of good advice on here :-)

[chicks4kicks]

Sounds like Mareks or Gape worm, is she vaccinated and wormed?

[MrsDaffy]

She's been wormed. I think she's just a very greedy hen. Her crop was practically empty and was on the mend then I realised she's managed to get to some greenery growing near the top of the run (she's very acrobatic) and she's got another big lump in there. Olive oil and massage are doing the trick but I think she's always going to have issues.

[Scarlet]

Yes, I think so - it's often a recurring problem I'm afraid. Chickens are greedy b@ggers too which doesn't help.