My chicken has a swollen eye, head tilt, and can't balance. What's wrong?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female | unspayed | 4 lbs
I have a 2 year old hen who has a swollen and itchy eye. Her head tilts almost completely horizontally and she sometimes falls over like she can't balance correctly. Her crop empties every night and I make sure she gets food and water during the day. I wash her eyes out with saline every so often and I put metricyn AH in her eyes for the itchiness. I also ordered some terramycin eye ointment. If you can give me any advice on how to help her it'll be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 6th, 2017
In adult chickens, "wry neck", can be caused by infection, trauma or poor diet. Hen pecking can cause trauma and infection. A poor diet results in a vitamin deficiency, usually E, B1, D or a combination. Have her examined by a vet experienced in treating domestic fowl. Separate her from the flock for now. Feed a fortified chicken feed. Vitamin E should be given daily. Give with the mineral selenium to enhance absorption. Vit B can be mixed in with food or water. Infection should be confirmed and treated with the appropriate antibiotic if indicated.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 5th, 2020
This looks like the chickens may be getting wry neck, which causes them to stiffen and tilt their head back like this. If the entire flock is becoming infected, a selenium and Vitamin E deficiency in the feed, or a transmissible illness such as Newcastle, etc can be the cause. Isolating affected chickens from the flock to prevent spread, making sure they are being properly supplemented with a grower feed that is nutritionally balanced as well as vitamin E/selenium, and having any affected birds tested for transmissible illness can help you figure out the best treatment plan.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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