Chicken lifting legs high when walking

[Newtochickens2]

Hello, I'm fairly new to owning chickens so wondered if someone could give me some advice. I have a Plymouth rock bantam which looks like she has started moulting, but feathers appear to be growing back, the last two days I have noticed she lifts her legs high when she walks looks as though her legs are moving her chest? Her poo is normal, she is eating and srinking. Any ideas what I should do? Thanks

 

[Wisher1000]

As for the walking, check the bottom of her feet, I don't know what to do about her shrinking.

 

[janinepeters]

No experience with it myself, but have readt it can be due to mites. That might not be the only possible cause, but it would be worth giving your bird a look over. Google "high stepping" chicken and you should find some threads on that.

 

[casportpony]

No experience with it myself, but have readt it can be due to mites. That might not be the only possible cause, but it would be worth giving your bird a look over. Google "high stepping" chicken and you should find some threads on that.

X2! I'd be willing to bet it's scaly leg mites.

 

[casportpony]

Hello, I'm fairly new to owning chickens so wondered if someone could give me some advice. I have a Plymouth rock bantam which looks like she has started moulting, but feathers appear to be growing back, the last two days I have noticed she lifts her legs high when she walks looks as though her legs are moving her chest? Her poo is normal, she is eating and srinking. Any ideas what I should do? Thanks

Dust her with poultry dust, not DE. You should probably also worm her, but if she's started to moult, you should not use fenbendazole (Safeguard/Panacur) as it does something to their feathers.

Weigh her and send BYC's dawg53 a PM and ask him how to worm her. I'm pretty sure he'll suggest that you buy Valbazen (albendazole), but I have no idea how much you should give to a thin banty. You'll have to order Valbazen online, but you can get Safeguard, Wazine (roundworms only) and Poultry Dust at TSC (Tractor Supply).

You should weigh her daily. Any weight loss is cause for concern. If she is moulting, you should increase her protein level to help with feather growth. I give mine a 27% turkey crumble.

 

[Newtochickens2]

Thanks for your comments hope u all had gd christmas! She has generally cheered up but continues to high step! I have wormed and can not find any signs of mites however I have rubbed scaly poultry cream into legs. How long should chickens nails be? I don't think this is the issue but any thoughts??

 

[chkn]

Look for scabs underneath feathers around knees (infection caused by scaley leg mites).

 

[Poultry Couture]

I know this is no laughing matter, but it makes me think of this video I saw a while ago....

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=o3qc7wFpBQY&desktop_uri=/watch?v=o3qc7wFpBQY

x700

 

[Newtochickens2]

I think you may all be correct. Today I have noticed her scales lifting, we are continuing to rub in the cream and will have to see what happens?! Thanks for your help

 

[casportpony]

I think you may all be correct. Today I have noticed her scales lifting, we are continuing to rub in the cream and will have to see what happens?! Thanks for your help

I use Vaseline on mine.