koo2cat Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 One of my oldest chickens (a hybrid aged 3 1/2) doesn't seem right at all. She is eating and drinking normally, droppings ok. Been wormed and de-liced very recently. Her back end and tail are dropping and she is almost dragging them on the floor. She is walking more like a duck or a penguin than a chicken. This weird stance has got worse over the past week and now I'm not sure what to do. It almost looks like she is sitting down (if that makes any sense). Is it just her legs giving up on her due to her age or is it something more serious. Never seen anything like it before. Wondering if I should have her dispatched although she doesn't appear to be in any distress and went up the ladder at bedtime last night and down again this morning. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I take it she's not laying any more? I have a 3 3/4 yr old girl who is looking a bit sorry at the moment too. Tail down, generally slower to do everything, occasional stumble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo2cat Posted April 28, 2011 Author Share Posted April 28, 2011 No, she hasn't laid for about a year, maybe longer. Most strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Is there any swelling in her abdomen, tightness or fluid? She could have peritonitis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Martha went like this, I know what you are describing (I hope!) her head up high and her bottom almost brushing the floor as she walks? She did have an abdominal tumour which was causing her abdomen to grow rapidly, which is why it was hanging down. With medication she did have 4 extra months with us, and she was quite content during that time, they weren't 4 miserable months. She was slower than the other girls and never lost her duck apperance but she was happy enough for a while, when things changed we took her back to the vets to be pts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo2cat Posted April 28, 2011 Author Share Posted April 28, 2011 Thats interesting. Its a bit of a pain that its a long weekend other wise I would take her to the vets. She seems totally fine in herself apart from walking and standing in this strange manner. Poor old bird! Thanks for your replies by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
