Hen walking backwards!!

Sue

Sue

New member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
789
Reaction score
0
Location
South West
My legbar is doing something strange! She is walking backwards and the look on her face says that she doesn't want to walk backwards (if that makes any sense). Then she goes sideways or at least her body does, but her head and neck seem to want to go the other way! It's as though she is dizzy and she uses the sides of the run to support her. Then she returns to normal. She is eating and drinking ok, but her poos have been a bit watery for 2 days. They are not so bad today. She seems perfectly ok when this isn't happening. She isn't thin (or fat). I have started worming her today as she wasn't wormed the same time as the others (she is in the other pen with 'broody' Potty Dotty). She has no signs of illness other than this behaviour and has been laying a normal egg most days. Any ideas anyone or have I got another strange one?!?!?
 
Hello, check her ears- any white/yellow crusty stuff on or in them? Also, how old is she? Is her breathing ok? No raspy voice?
regards, Davidd :)
 
another thing to check is her crop. I have one little hen did this when she had crop problems
 
One of our Legbars developed a funny walk. Used to pause mid stride, lift one leg up high and then steped forward and carried on only to repeat the movement a few strides later. She doesn't do it now. Reminded me of John Cleese and 'the Ministry of Funny Walks' sketch. She had an impacted crop as well so perhaps Val is right.

It does sound like a form of disorientation Sue. I wonder if it is an ear problem as Davidd suggests or if it is the start of 'star gazing', which is a neurologigical problem resulting in the head looking backwards and up. We had one which we thought was a heart stroke but can be caused suddenly by sun or heatstroke. Metacam can reduce the effects but not cure it. Fingers crossed for you Sue and hopefully it is somethiong simple.
 
Her ears appear to be clean and her crop doesn't feel abnormal in any way. Her breathing is fine, no wheeziness or coughs/sneezes etc. As for her age, she is about 17 months old. She's not doing it all the time, which is what I find strange, she hasn't done it today at all!
 
I would just keep an eye on her... walking backwards is not normal behaviour, however is likely to be transient due to some local irritation i.e. eye, ear or sinus. The other possibility is neurological, in this case only time will tell. If she seems fine apart from the odd occasional funny walk impression I expect she is fine! :D
 
Thanks everyone, you're probably right Foxy, she has heard about Chris's Legbar and the 'funny walk' and thinks she doesn't want to miss out!!!! :-)07
 
One of mine do simular thing just looking for a moment confused and make few steps back, like there is an invisible obsticle for her.I had never though of it as singn of ilness as she is absolutly fine with everything and healthy-good layer too I have 5 eggs /week from her:)
 
I think Legbars are a bit wierd altogether Sue. Our other one (Molly) has started eating other hens neck feathers. I thought it was neck lice again but she is doing it to all of them. She also always tries to fly into the food store when I get the grain treat and always bounces off my back. So I conclude she is not ill, just mad!! Lays lovely sky blue eggs as well. Oh, and she is the smallest in the flock and top hen -they all think she's mad and avoid her!
 
Well, my Legbar lives with Potty Dotty so that is likely to send anyone crazy after a while!!!!!!! Me included! (No comments required Chuck! :roll: )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top