What is Wry Neck in Chickens? Causes and Symptoms

chickens in coop

Whether you’re an experienced chicken keeper or are new to backyard chickens, a wry neck can be an alarming condition to find in one of your chickens. Wry neck, also called torticollis, is a neurological condition that causes a chicken’s head and neck to droop or twist, possibly in strange angles. Chickens with wry neck can struggle to eat, drink, and move around safely in their environment. Chicks, breeding hens, roosters, and older chickens can all experience wry neck, though some breeds of chickens are more prone to this condition than others. So, what do you do if you see one of your chickens with its neck at a weird angle?

First, try to stay calm. When addressed quickly and appropriately, most chickens will recover from wry neck; however, speed is essential. Left unattended, your chicken could become dehydrated and malnourished, leading to other complications. Whatever your level of chicken keeping may be, understanding the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of wry neck is vital for keeping your flock and your peace of mind safely intact.

Understanding Wry Neck in Chickens

Healthy chickens have straight necks, holding their heads upright. This position lets them eat, drink, and easily scan their environment. Wry neck is caused when your chicken’s nerves or muscles are disrupted, causing a loss of head and neck control. This disruption leads to the neck tilted backward, towards the ground, or sideways. Sometimes, the neck will also twist, placing the head at an awkward angle. In addition to compromised eating and drinking, chickens with wry neck are likely to lose their balance and struggle with coordination, which can be stressful for you and the chicken.

Less severe cases of wry neck in chickens can be reversed with proper care, including nutritional supplements. More serious cases may require more intense treatment from your veterinarian and could cause long-term disability in the chicken. The most crucial step to treating your chicken with wry neck is to identify the cause so you can choose the correct treatment. Keep reading to learn more about what causes wry neck in chickens.

What Causes Wry Neck in Chickens?

The underlying causes of wry neck can vary widely. While some cases result from external circumstances, some cases' root cause is a genetic predisposition, which is simply out of your control. Let’s explore the causes of wry neck and learn what can be done to prevent this unfortunate condition:

Vitamin Deficiency

If your chicken isn’t getting enough Vitamin E and selenium, this deficiency can lead to wry neck. These vital nutrients are key components of healthy muscular and nerve function.

  • Vitamin E plays a vital role in helping cells stay healthy in the face of oxidative stress, and a deficiency of this vitamin can cause muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and other neurological symptoms, including wry neck.
  • Selenium is a trace mineral essential to your chicken’s ability to absorb and utilize Vitamin E to keep nerves and muscles functioning correctly. Even a mild Vitamin E deficiency can worsen if combined with a lack of selenium. 


Nutritional deficiencies in diet can be linked to poor quality feed, irregular feeding practices, or accidentally using spoiled or moldy food. A nutritionally balanced, high-quality diet is a vital component of a healthy, happy flock (and chicken keeper).

Genetics and Breed

Some chicken breeds are, unfortunately, more likely to experience wry neck simply due to their genetics.

  • Silkies are beautiful chickens well known for having vaulted skulls and a unique physiology among chicken breeds, leaving them especially vulnerable to developing wry neck.
  • Polish Chickens, like silkies, have distinctive skull shapes, making them vulnerable to head injuries and associated complications, including wry necks. 

If you breed chickens, it’s essential to take stock of your birds’ genetic history to breed healthy traits into future chicks and avoid the potential of developing wry neck.

Head Injuries

Trauma to a chicken’s head or neck can result in wry neck because trauma disrupts the nervous system and may cause additional injury to delicate neck muscles. Here are some of the most common causes of head and neck injuries in chickens:

  • Even in the safest of chicken coops, accidents happen. Chickens are active, inquisitive animals; some seem to find a way to harm themselves despite your best efforts. If your chicken takes a fall from a high perch or runs into something sturdy during playtime, keep an eye on them.
  • All families fight sometimes. Pecking aggressively and all-out fighting among your flock can lead to wry neck.
  • Finally, predator attacks can often result in trauma to a chicken's head and neck and potentially lead to wry neck. 

Viral Infections

Certain viral infections can impact a chicken’s nervous system and lead to wry neck. Be sure to have any chickens with wry neck checked out for these viral infections:

  • Newcastle disease is a viral infection that seriously affects your chicken's nervous system and can cause symptoms like head twisting and tremors.
  • Marek’s disease is another viral disease that impacts chickens' nervous systems and can lead to wry neck and even paralysis. 

Make sure your flock is up to date with their vaccinations and take every biosecurity precaution possible to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious agents in your flock.

Exposure to Toxins

Another cause of wry neck in chickens is exposure to toxins, which can affect your chickens physically and neurologically. There are several common ways chickens can be exposed to toxins:

  • Moldy food is one of the first things to check if a chicken has a wry neck. If chicken feed or other food given to chickens goes moldy, it produces toxins that can damage a chicken’s nervous system.
  • Chemicals in your chicken's environment can cause wry neck. Avoid spraying lawn or yard chemicals like weed killer anywhere your chickens can access them. Inhaling or eating these chemicals can affect their nervous systems.
  • Poisonous or toxic plants can disrupt a chicken’s neurological system. Watch for plants like hellebore in the Northeast, bluebonnets in the South, and other plants like hydrangea, ivy, any bulb flowers, and honeysuckle.
  • Toxic food scraps can sneak into your chicken’s diet without you knowing it. If you enjoy avocado, onions, chocolate, citrus, beans, eggplant, or potatoes, don’t include any of them in what you give to your chickens. 

Ensuring chickens avoid exposure to toxic chemicals is essential to a healthy flock.

Common Symptoms of Wry Neck in Chickens

Learning to identify wry neck in its early stages can save you and your chickens a lot of heartache. Treating wry neck as soon as possible significantly affects the outcome. Here are some symptoms to look out for in your flock:

  • Abnormal Neck Positioning: Chickens may display a twisted, drooping, or backward-tilting neck and head.
  • Having a Hard Time Eating and Drinking: A chicken developing wry neck may start having difficulty taking in food and water; left unchecked, this can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.
  • Poor Coordination and Balance: Chickens with wry neck often experience a lack of balance and coordination, which can lead to compromised movement and falls.
  • Low Energy Levels: A bird with wry neck may display low energy or move further into lethargy. Look out for less active chickens who are resting more than usual.
  • Weight Loss: Chickens with wry neck may suddenly start losing weight due to eating less.
  • Unusual Sounds: If a chicken starts vocalizing differently, take note. Chickens with wry neck may make sounds of distress.
  • Erratic behavior: Behavior out of the ordinary is often seen in chickens with wry neck.

Can Wry Neck be Contagious to Other Chickens?

No, wry neck is not contagious to other chickens. But, the exact cause of wry neck in one chicken could also cause wry neck in other chickens. If wry neck is caused by genetics or an injury, then there’s no cause for concern. However, if viral or chemical causes are at play, taking steps to prevent more afflicted birds is essential.

  • If a viral infection is identified as the cause of wry neck in a chicken, the infection can spread to other birds. Newcastle and Marek’s are two viruses that can cause wry neck in chickens.
  • If an environmental toxin, like moldy feed or a toxic plant, is the cause, other chickens in the same environment could be affected.

Chicken Wry Neck Prevention Methods

Preventing wry neck requires a proactive approach to managing your flock. Addressing potential causes and keeping your chickens’ living area safe and clean will reduce the risk of wry neck. Here are some standard wry neck prevention methods:

Provide a Balanced Diet

A high-quality, nutritionally balanced feed is the cornerstone of prevention. Look for feeds that contain:

  • The right amount of selenium and Vitamin E.
  • A balanced mix of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein.

Supplemental treats like spinach, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds are good sources of vitamins and minerals for your flock.

Injury Prevention

  • Make sure all ramps and perches are securely fastened; this prevents falls.
  • Fighting can lead to trauma and injury; ensure you give your birds plenty of space in their coop to promote peaceful coexistence.
  • Keep an eye on your birds to identify any fighting or bullying. 

Clean Living Areas Regularly

  • Frequently clean all feeders, water containers, and coops to prevent bacteria growth.
  • Prevent mold formation by storing all chicken feed in a dry area with plenty of ventilation.

Biosecurity Practices and Vaccinations

Keeping your flock up to date on their vaccinations will help prevent many diseases, including Marek’s disease, and help keep your birds in tip-top shape. Practice these common sense tips to avoid the exchange of outside bacteria and viruses:

  • When you have new birds, quarantine them to monitor for health issues before letting them join your flock.
  • Do your best to protect your flock from pests or wild birds carrying disease. 

Regularly Check Your Flocks Health

Monitoring for signs of illness is the key to catching and treating injury or disease. Catching an unwell chicken early on increases the chances of successful treatment or containing the spread of an illness.

Ethical Breeding

If you’re breeding your birds, keep any chicken with a history of wry neck or other neurological conditions out of the breeding pool. Research and use responsible breeding practices to increase your chances of successfully breeding healthy birds.

A thorough understanding of wry neck and knowing how to prevent and start treatment of wry neck in chickens will increase your chances of a successful recovery if this condition ever appears in your flock. Following common sense care methods that prevent injury and reduce exposure to contaminants like mold, bacteria, and environmental toxins go a long way towards healthy, happy birds. If you think one of your chickens is experiencing wry neck, consult a veterinarian immediately and follow their suggested course of treatment. Proactively preventing wry neck and other neurological diseases is the best way to ensure healthy, happy birds. If you have any questions about the nutritional needs of chickens to prevent wry neck, reach out to us here at Kalmbach Feeds. 

 

Nancy Jefferson, Ph.D.

Dr. Nancy Jefferson has been a member of the Nutrition and Technical Services team at Kalmbach Feeds since 2013. She received her Ph.D. from West Virginia University in 2008 and has worked in the feed industry for over 15 years. She lives on a farm in Crown City, OH with her husband, John, and their children. Dr. Jefferson is a passionate poultry enthusiast and loves her chickens! Together, she and her family raise beef cattle and she keeps an ever-growing flock of backyard chickens.