Chicken bald back

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

One of my ~4 year old Rhode Island Red hybrids, Benni, seems to have started acting strange lately.

 

In the morning, my other 8 hens rocket out of the house and into their run when I open the door. But Benni just stays on the roost. When she does finally decide to jump off the roost she seems to lose her balance very slightly. But I usually just lift her out of the house and into the run.

 

When in the run, she seems to walk very cautiously and slowly, almost checking the ground below before she takes a step.

 

As well as this she travels alone, my other 8 hens usually move in a loose group, but she walks around by herself.

 

I'm not hugely concerned about the isolating herself part. But the tardiness to get out of the house worries me a bit.

 

She has no other health problems, she is eating and drinking and laying the odd egg.

 

Any ideas what it could be?

[Patricia W]

How is she today? I don't have any ideas but maybe someone else has.

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

Balance getting worse. General hunched appearance, disintersted, runny droppings.

 

Sure sign something ain't right

[Olly]

That sounds like a sick hen - I would get some veterinary advice.