Chicken squat-walks, falls over

[javamsanii]

Hi All,

One of our six chickens seems to be having some real problems. I think she's about two years old. She seemed lethargic, and appears to be favoring one side over her other. This has been going on a couple of days. We kept her in a box inside the house for 24 hours, then took her out and observed her again, and noticed that she is walking really oddly. She appears to be squatting as she walks. No signs of trauma, other birds are fine, no idea what could have caused this.

Here's video1 and video2

Is anyone familiar with what she's exhibiting? Thanks so much in advance - she's very sweet and we can't tell if she's in pain.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Some chickens will squat when you are close to them but they don’t usually squat like that. You’re hen looks healthy though so maybe she is just special?

 

[PirateGirl]

@Eggcessive

 

[Trux]

Looks to me like she is trying to get an egg out...it might be stuck. @azygous @Eggcessive

 

[javamsanii]

Some chickens will squat when you are close to them but they don’t usually squat like that. You’re hen looks healthy though so maybe she is just special?

Yeah, our other chickens will squat to get picked up. This isn't that though.

 

[javamsanii]

Here's some more photos to give you a sense of what she's doing -

 

[Eggcessive]

Has she been laying eggs normally any time recently? To me she looks like she is having balance issues, and seems to be walking more upright than normal. Hens who sit more upright may have a reproductive disorder, such as internal laying, or ascites (fluid in the belly.) Can you insert a finger into her vent about an inch to check for an egg. Wear a disposable glove if you have one.

Her right wing hanging down and her imbalance could possibly be a symptom of Mareks disease. I have been treating a similar hen, and it has taken several weeks to rule out Mareks. Make sure that she can reach food and water, and make sure that the other chickens do not start picking on her because of her symptoms. My hen has been pecked and run off because of her loss of balance. Now she is walking much better, but they are still picking on her.

How do her poops look (color and consistency?) Is she eating and drinking normally?

 

[rebrascora]

I agree, that upright penguin posture is usually associated with a reproductive disorder. I would go with Salpingitis which is an infection of the oviduct which causes a mass or masses of lash egg material to form in the oviduct. This may be putting pressure on her sciatic nerve and cause lameness. There is the option of very expensive and risky surgery but we are talking a 4 figure sum and no guarantee of success. If it is Salpingitis she will probably have some swelling below her vent and she may be struggling to pass any proper poop. Crating her to monitor her input and "Output" for 24 hrs would give you an indication. It may be that the mass is also preventing her from pooping and only white urates are being passed. If that is the case she will not last long. You may also find that her crop does not empty overnight because her digestive system is backed up. By all means give her an Epsom salts warm soak and internal investigation as this may help her to pass some waste will give her a little relief but if I am right then it will only be short term and it might be kinder to end it for her.
If she is a pet, then veterinary consultation/advice would be a good idea.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings javamsanii,

The hen's stance in the video, is that of a penguin. The penguin stance is indicative of a reproductive issue. Without, testing by a vet, it is hard to tell if she is in the early stage of infection or tumor activity of the reproductive system. She could also be laying internally, which can become lethal, quickly. Hens that lay internally can have an egg rupture withing the coelomic cavity.

When the hen feels certain sensations internally, particularly, involving the reproductive tract, she will exhibit odd behaviors: walking backwards, walking low to the ground, slow squatting, inability to stand for long, and the infamous penguin stance, etc.

At this point, if you cannot take her to see a vet. You should keep providing good supportive care, and monitor her symptoms. The issue may resolve itself, or cause more symptoms. Be vigilant for crop problems, diarrhea, yellow urates and urine, a loss of appetite, excessive drinking, lethargy, sleepiness. These symptoms will tell you that the condition is advancing. Other hens in the flock, may also attack or peck at her, because of her odd behaviors.

I have had good success, by including red light therapy in the supportive care, for hens with reproductive issues. The warmth from the red light therapy is also beneficial. (When using red bulbs, make sure there is NO Teflon or mercury used in the manufacture, these are toxic.) A red heat bulb made for brooders works well. A temperature of 63 to 68 degrees is good. The hen may lay on her side under the lamp, this is also good. Make sure there is enough space so that she can move away from the heat.

How much you are willing to do for the hen, depends on whether she is livestock, or a pet. Reproductive issues are a huge subject. And, I have had a lot of experience with this, in my flock. I currently have a hen, that had similar symptoms to yours, back in Sept. My vet told she would probably die in October, of 2018. She gradually became worse, and eventually by November, was completely lame. At this moment, she is laying an egg, after foraging most of the day with her BFF!

Hopefully your hen's issue is minor, and will resolve itself soon.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue, based on my experience. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

 

[javamsanii]

Thanks all. I'll check when I get home tonight. She's somewhere between livestock and a pet, but I don't want to take her to a vet. I just want her to be comfortable. If she's sick/laying internally, that sounds pretty awful. I'll see how she's doing and give her at least another 24 hours before I make a decision.