Sophie Bennett
If you've noticed that your hatching chicks turn their heads upside down, there could be several reasons for this. One possible explanation is a condition called wry neck, which is caused by muscle spasms that pull the head and neck into unnatural positions. This can be the result of vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin E, or head injuries leading to neurological problems. Another possibility is that the chick developed upside down in the incubator due to overheating or ineffective turning, resulting in malpositioning. Additionally, some people force chicks onto their backs to calm them, but this is an unnatural and terrifying position for them, triggering a fear response. If you're concerned about your hatching chicks, it's important to seek expert advice to ensure they receive proper care.
Characteristics and their respective values regarding why hatching chicks turn their heads upside down
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chick turning its head upside down | Wry neck/crook neck |
| Causes | Vitamin deficiencies, head injuries, neurological problems, eye injuries, dietary deficiency |
| Solutions | Providing vitamins, ensuring correct temperature in the incubator, rolling the chick upright, placing the chick on top of paper towels in an open container |
| Chick behaviour | Calm and peaceful, fear response, distress |
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What You'll Learn
It could be a sign of wry neck/crook neck
Wry neck, also known as torticollis, twisted neck, stargazing, limber neck, and crook or crooked neck, is a condition that can affect chicks, chickens, and other poultry. This condition causes the chicken to lose control of its neck and be unable to hold its head up. It can progress to the point where the bird cannot stand or walk without stumbling and may even lead to death if left untreated.
Wry neck is not a disease or ailment in itself but rather a symptom of a disease, injury, or deficiency. It is often caused by head injuries, which can lead to neurological problems. Chicken breeds with a crest of feathers on their heads are more prone to serious injury if they are hit or pecked hard, and their crest can be a tempting target for feather pecking. These breeds also tend to have less bony skulls, and sometimes the skull bone won't fully enclose the brain due to poor breeding or an injury sustained at a young age. When the skull bone is not fully closed, head injuries can cause serious swelling and pressure within the skull, leading to neurological disorders that cause wry neck.
Wry neck can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, particularly a lack of vitamin E and selenium. A deficiency in vitamin B-1 (thiamine) can also result in wry neck. In chicks, this is likely caused by the parent birds being deficient in these vitamins. However, in adult chickens, their diet should be reviewed to address the deficiency.
If you observe signs of wry neck, it is recommended to increase the vitamin E in your flock's diet immediately. Selenium is also required for vitamin E to be properly absorbed. Brewer's yeast is an excellent natural source of thiamine, and other natural sources include cereal grains and their by-product meals.
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It may indicate a vitamin deficiency
A chick turning its head upside down may indicate a vitamin deficiency, which is a classic sign of wry neck or crook neck. Wry neck is caused when a chicken's neck muscles spasm, pulling the head and neck into unnatural positions. While wry neck is often associated with head injuries, it can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies, neurological disorders, or other diseases.
In the case of a vitamin deficiency, wry neck is more common in young chicks but can also occur in older chickens. A chicken with wry neck may have difficulty keeping its balance, maneuvering, eating, or drinking properly. Broody hens, for example, may not be eating and drinking enough, leading to vitamin deficiencies.
Vitamin deficiencies can be treated with excessive amounts of vitamins, nutridrenched, and Polyvisol, a baby vitamin. A few droppers full given directly down the throat frequently have been shown to cure some birds.
It is important to note that wry neck is not a disease or ailment but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. While it is typically treatable, proper care is necessary for the chicken's recovery.
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The chick could have neurological problems
If your chick is turning its head upside down, it could be suffering from a neurological problem. One possible issue is a condition called wry neck, which is caused by neck muscles spasming and pulling the head and neck into unnatural positions. Wry neck is not a disease in itself but a symptom of another issue, such as a head injury, nutritional deficiency, or neurological disorder.
Wry neck can manifest in several ways, including the neck being twisted to one side, upward, or downward between the legs. It can cause a chicken to have difficulty keeping its balance and maneuvering its environment, and it may also inhibit eating and drinking. Wry neck is often treatable, and recovery is common. However, if left untreated, a chick with a neurological disorder may lose the ability to eat and drink.
Another potential neurological issue is stargazing, which is a specific form of wry neck that commonly affects young chicks. Stargazing can be a symptom of Encephalomalacia, a softening of the brain tissue that can lead to permanent brain damage if not treated early. Encephalomalacia is caused by a deficiency in vitamin E, and affected chicks may pull their heads down between their legs and twist their heads to the side.
Additionally, chicks may exhibit abnormal behavior due to nervous system disorders, such as appearing uncoordinated, weak, or paralyzed in one or both legs. These disorders can be caused by various illnesses, including Marek's disease, a common viral infection in backyard chickens that can lead to tumors and paralysis.
If you suspect your chick is suffering from a neurological problem, it is important to separate it from the flock and seek veterinary advice.
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It could be a sign of a head injury
If your hatching chicks are turning their heads upside down, it could be a sign of a head injury. This condition is known as wry neck, crook neck, or stargazing, and it is caused by neck muscle spasms that pull the head and neck into unnatural positions. Wry neck is often the result of a chicken suffering a blow or peck to the head, which can lead to neurological problems.
Crested chicken breeds, such as Silkies, are more susceptible to wry neck due to their vaulted skulls, which create a delicate structure. In these breeds, a head injury can cause serious swelling and pressure within the skull, leading to neurological disorders and wry neck. Young chicks are particularly vulnerable to wry neck caused by head injuries, as their respiratory systems are not yet fully developed, and they may have difficulty breathing in certain positions.
If your chick is exhibiting signs of wry neck, it is important to seek veterinary advice promptly. Treatment options may include nutritional supplements, such as vitamin E or thiamine, to address any potential deficiencies that could be contributing to the condition. In some cases, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen may be recommended to reduce swelling and improve the chick's comfort and mobility.
Additionally, it is crucial to address any environmental factors that may have contributed to the head injury. Ensure that your chicks are housed in a safe and compatible flock, and provide adequate space and access to resources to reduce the risk of injury from feather pecking or bullying. Regularly check your chicks for any signs of injury and separate them from other chickens if necessary to prevent further harm.
While wry neck can be a frightening condition, most chickens can recover with proper care and treatment. By providing nutritional support, addressing any environmental factors, and seeking veterinary advice, you can give your hatching chicks the best chance for a full recovery.
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The chick may be calmer on its back
While it may seem adorable, putting a chick on its back is not safe. Although the chick may appear calmer, this is due to tonic immobility, or "animal hypnosis", a fear response that helps them evade predators. The chick is motionless and struggling to stay alive. This is not a natural position for a chicken, and it may lead to trauma or even death.
A chick that has fallen on its back may have serious neurological problems, perhaps due to an incorrectly set temperature in the incubator. If a chick won't stay upright, you can try rolling it upright a few times, or you can place it on top of paper towels in an open container, arranging the paper towels under and around the chick to keep it upright.
A chick's respiratory system is not fully developed at birth. A mature chicken's air sacs are connected to its bones, and air travels from the air sacs into these hollow bones. In newborn chicks, these connections have not yet been made. Shortly after hatching, the air sacs in the front of a chick's body grow into the neck vertebrae, while the air sacs in the hind take more time to grow into the vertebrae near the pelvis. It is possible that this immature setup does not hinder a very young chick's breathing on its back as much as it does an older chick.
It is important to note that handling a baby chick can be dangerous, as they can be deathly afraid of humans. If you try to handle a chick, it may run off frantically, making distressed peeps.
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Frequently asked questions
This could be a sign of wry neck/crook neck, which is caused by neck muscle spasms that pull the head and neck into unnatural positions. It could also be the result of a vitamin deficiency or a head injury.
You can try giving your chick a homeopathic dosage of Mag/Phos to relax its muscles. You should also encourage the chick to eat and drink on its own by holding food in your hand for it to peck at.
Yes, some chicks may fall or throw themselves on their backs or sides due to neurological problems caused by incorrect incubator temperatures. If this happens, you can try rolling them upright a few times or placing them on top of paper towels in an open container to keep them upright.
No, it is not safe to hold a chick on its back as this is a very unnatural position for them. While they may appear calm, this is typically a fear response that may help them evade predators.
