[caroway]

My fairly elderly bantam cockerel has started twisting his head around. He is able to do just about everything he could before, he's still eating well, crowing and going around with his ladies, but is unable to fly up on to his roost at night.  Has anyone else come across this?

[chrismahon]

Hi  Caroway. It sounds like what is called 'star gazing'. It is a neurological problem apparently, which we have had in an Orpington hen one Summer brought about by heat. Suppose it is the chicken equivalent of heatstroke.


I've read that a course of anti-inflammatories can help. In our case it happened very quickly, literally before our eyes. The hen was so distressed and in danger of injuring herself she was despatched. In retrospect we should have put her in a cold place in complete darkness to see if the condition improved. She was disorientated because her neck was twisted backwards and round so she was looking backwards and upside-down. Strangely, when she was offered a treat the condition corrected to grab it but then returned immediately. That now says to me it should be curable.

[caroway]

Hi Chrismahon,
Thanks for your reply- so it is something that happens. I've had a look on line and various reasons come up but nothing definite.
My old cockerel seems okay some of the time - especially when he's on the move - and like you say, when his head is twisting and you put food down it straightens out and he can eat fine! He doesn't appear to be distressed- I'll see how he goes. I wouldn't be breeding from him anyway - he just has two old ladies with him!

[chrismahon]

Hi Caroway. I'm very interested to know how he gets on. It is a worry with the hot Summers here -fluffy Orpingtons are not suited to this climate and I was expecting more cases this year. Fortunately we managed to keep them cool with wet ground and a large electric fan.