Something's wrong with my 3 month polish pullet

This poor girl has had issues since she was just a few days old. We got her from a hatchery along with other chicks (all are fine and normal except this one) she's our only polish and I'm new to the breed as well.

She's always had problems walking and criss crossed her legs and steps on herself sometimes scratching her feet. She's very lethargic and doesn't roost with the rest of the flock. I don't think we're going to be able to integrate get with the big girls outside. They're all still in a brooder until we complete our coop expansion.

She rarely stand straight up but recently I noticed her legs look a little weird so took a picture in case maybe that's her issue. I've tried giving her vitamins, electrolytes, probiotic but it doesn't seem to help. I'm starting to suspect something neurological and am unsure what to do with her.
Thanks for any and all input/advice

Adding that she lays with her head down on the ground.

I'm not sure if this is the reason, but I've heard that Polish chickens have trouble because of the feathers on their head. They are more prone to bullying, predation, and feather mites. She may also be unable to see the roosts to perch on them. I've also heard that breeds with crests can have neurological problems and are easily injured on their heads (I had a silkie with neurological conditions).

I would try trimming her head feathers first (they will grow back over time, so if this isn't the cause she won't lose her feathers forever), so she can see better. This might help. If its neurological, you can build a pen for her near the others with a low-down rooster and food and water that is easy to fine. Disabled chickens can thrive, but they need special care.

Best of luck!

Thank you! That's great to hear. We're all pretty attached to her. She can't jump or fly very well and these issues started before her feathers impaired her sight we did recent try to trim them and it didn't make a difference. I did find her roosting once but shortly after she fell down again. She's always scared in a corner somewhere and if she's out the big layers do bully her but I haven't seen any of her brooder mates bothering her. I'm sure she'd appreciate a low roost she sometimes tries to roost on the food bowl. I think she'll need a special place to herself but I'm worried she'll get lonely. She seems happiest in our lap snuggled with a blanket but I don't think we're up for having an indoor chicken.

I have my first Polish too. We are currently trying to recover from Coccidia. Another story.

I would make sure she time or special place to eat and drink. The others might not let her in To eat enough.
I hope it isn't neurological. Keep us posted.

ryanhodapp said:

I have my first Polish too. We are currently trying to recover from Coccidia. Another story.

I would make sure she time or special place to eat and drink. The others might not let her in To eat enough.
I hope it isn't neurological. Keep us posted.

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Thank you! She gets to eat. She's still in a playpen with five other chickens and she eats with them I've never seen any of them peck her she'll also eat when they go out in the yard to explore which is most of the day. I let her out for a little bit but she ends up hiding away somewhere so usually put her back for most of the day. Poor girl. Hopefully we can give her the best quality of life possible for her.

Good luck with yours! I was so excited about the breed but she makes me sad. And our other polish I ordered didn't survive the trip here so she's our only one

Just a suggestion, but if she continues not to do well out with the others, you could find a really nice, calm, docile breed like a silkie or two and have them be buddies for her. Build her a nice run with low roosts (silkies like low roosts too) in a safe shelter. Make sure the silkies are friendly and healthy before introduction.
I'm sorry to hear about your other Polish chicks, I think a lot of hatcheries/breeders select for the best appearance and not for health. Health should be the first thing selected for in any animal, then behavior, and then appearance (I study breeds of animals, which is why I tend to go on and on when talking about them ).


Here is a nice, healthy silkie rooster, named Fred


Here is Mavis, the brain damaged chick. She loved to snuggle in hats and go for walks and to sun bathe, but if I just put her down she tended to walk into corners, so she had to stay in the basement. She also would have done well out in the pen we had, but she passed from respiratory problems before I integrated her out there


Mavis, sitting on my hand and relaxing. She didn't behave like other chickens, and tended to walk in circles. She had to be force-fed after her initial injury, until she learned to eat



Anyways, just thought I share my story. She was my sweet girl, but thankfully I still have her mother and father to enjoy. Her mother, Princess, just raised 6 new chicks and her father is impatiently waiting until we get rid of the rooster that has been bullying him so he can take his rightful place as Princess's "husband"

Best of luck with your girl!

Thank you for the great advice. I never would have thought of building her a separate little area but that seems like the best solution. I have been wanting to try silkies but I live in a secluded area and would have to order from a hatchery which I don't really want to do. Maybe I can put out an ISO for an older silkie or another polish that could be her companion. I don't think my chances are very good for finding one though. Any good places to get silkie fertile eggs?

Mavis was so pretty. If you don't mind me asking what happened to her to cause the brain damage? How long did she live?

Silkies are really popular right now, and a ton of people are having to rehome pets, especially roosters or young adults that you can already tell the gender of. Cochins (they come in bantam and standard) are also suppose to be calm breeds, if you can't acquire silkies.

Thank you for the breed recommendations. I put up a post in my local chicken group and just added cochin to it. Hopefully something will come of it.

Update on what happen to your chicken? Im dealing with a silkie/ee chick who walks on top on her feet which causes her to be unstable.. would love to know if yours healed and if so, how.