Behavior that might be a disability?

[Byrd gal]

Thank you for being a wonderful human !!! The world needs more compassion for "different "animals. They have plenty to offer even if they aren't perfect.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Thank you for being a wonderful human !!! The world needs more compassion for "different "animals. They have plenty to offer even if they aren't perfect.

I second that! And for all animals! Humans, dogs, horses, chickens, even little mice and fish!

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Hi!

I just introduced myself but I also wanted to ask for some guidance with one of our chicks. I hope this is the correct place to do this…

We have a 6 week Favorelle that doesn’t seem to be quite right. We love her to death but we wondered if anyone had experienced this type of thing and if you have any thoughts which may help us.

Our girl has difficulties with everyday situations, learning to eat from a feeder, or a treat. Something may spook everyone and she looks around confused and does her soft confused cry. Everyone is eating and she will be confused about where everyone went and begin wandering about and looking around crying. Amazingly, almost every time one of the other chicks will go and get her and gently guide her to whatever they are doing. If she doesn’t fit on the perch she wants to be on it she will cry and eventually pull someone off the perch. No one gets mad, they just move for her. If she trying to sleep alone and begins to cry because she alone one of the other chicks will come and cuddle up with her.

As an example, one day I gave the girls treats. They were overjoyed. In this day she dashed over to join the excitement. While they were eating the treats she picked up a shaving and dashed about for a second, then began making confused noise. One of our other girls went over to her and walked her to the group, she watched for about 10 minutes and finally began to sample the treats. In another example we recently moved them to a big girl feeder and had to leave the chick feeder in too for her to eat from until she figured out what to do.

We think she may be disabled when we watch her behavior and compare her to her sisters. She’s been like this since we purchased her and we want to help her in any way possible. She seems normal physically and her vision does seem fine. We are concerned about what may happen when we begin to allow them to range on our property but we are willing to keep her from doing so if necessary.

Thank you to everyone who read this far! Does anyone have any suggestions for this type of situation? All thoughts, ideas and experiences are so welcome!

Hugs - Lisa

Is she blind?

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Nevermind I just read through the whole forum it sounds like she might be partially blind. And you have it figured out thanks for taking such good care of herself

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I just read through the whole forum

Wow, that’s a lot to read through!

(I’m guessing you’re taking about the thread though)

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Wow, that’s a lot to read through!

(I’m guessing you’re taking about the thread though)

Yes that's what I meant lol....my words are all messed up lol

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Yes that's what I meant lol....my words are all messed up lol

Well, if you’re in Iowa, it’s pretty late, so I don’t blame you! Speaking of which, I’m off to bed.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Well, if you’re in Iowa, it’s pretty late, so I don’t blame you! Speaking of which, I’m off to bed.

Yes its it midnight and I was working from 7am to 8pm in the weird weather so I am just worn lol

 

[Anime2lover]

Hi!

I just introduced myself but I also wanted to ask for some guidance with one of our chicks. I hope this is the correct place to do this…

We have a 6 week Favorelle that doesn’t seem to be quite right. We love her to death but we wondered if anyone had experienced this type of thing and if you have any thoughts which may help us.

Our girl has difficulties with everyday situations, learning to eat from a feeder, or a treat. Something may spook everyone and she looks around confused and does her soft confused cry. Everyone is eating and she will be confused about where everyone went and begin wandering about and looking around crying. Amazingly, almost every time one of the other chicks will go and get her and gently guide her to whatever they are doing. If she doesn’t fit on the perch she wants to be on it she will cry and eventually pull someone off the perch. No one gets mad, they just move for her. If she trying to sleep alone and begins to cry because she alone one of the other chicks will come and cuddle up with her.

As an example, one day I gave the girls treats. They were overjoyed. In this day she dashed over to join the excitement. While they were eating the treats she picked up a shaving and dashed about for a second, then began making confused noise. One of our other girls went over to her and walked her to the group, she watched for about 10 minutes and finally began to sample the treats. In another example we recently moved them to a big girl feeder and had to leave the chick feeder in too for her to eat from until she figured out what to do.

We think she may be disabled when we watch her behavior and compare her to her sisters. She’s been like this since we purchased her and we want to help her in any way possible. She seems normal physically and her vision does seem fine. We are concerned about what may happen when we begin to allow them to range on our property but we are willing to keep her from doing so if necessary.

Thank you to everyone who read this far! Does anyone have any suggestions for this type of situation? All thoughts, ideas and experiences are so welcome!

Hugs - Lisa

It's likely she might have difficulty judging distances for rooster and ramps. I'd suggest you keep those things low and the ramp to their future coop have only a slight incline. It may also be a good idea to have a stricter schedule for her flock. Chickens learn to memorize their environments and the times things are likely to happen. Special needs chickens need that more. Also, if there's one problem, their COULD be other unknown issues inside. I suggest you watch for that as she ages. Also, if you do need to change things, take it as slow as you can so it's easier for her to adjust.

 

[Mrs. K]

Not to rain on your parade, but I would not expect this chick to be long lived. You need to be pretty aware and pick this chick up and compare to flock mates weight regularly. Once I kept a chick that was disabled, seemed like she was holding her own, but eventually her getting bigger seemed to be too big for her body to keep up and she died. Feathers hide a multitude of sins, mine was much thinner than I thought.

Sometimes the there are more issues than the ones you can see. Give her the best you can, but don't feel guilty if she does not thrive.

Mrs K