Chicken walking low to the ground. Is she injured? (Video Included).

[Sundevill11]

Good day,

Has anyone else had their chickens walking low to the ground from time to time? I've totally inspected the chicken and do not see any external injuries. She is eating and pooping normally. Also, it does not appear to me that she is in any way egg bound. I would appreciate anyone who could help me with this. In the meanwhile I've isolated her in our quarantine crate in the garage. Thanks in advance.

 

[Chickassan]

She's fine. The hen saddle is why she's doing that. She looks like she's regrowing feathers and the saddles hit touchy spots so they squat walk, you can put her back with her people.

 

[Sundevill11]

She's fine. The hen saddle is why she's doing that.

I should have mentioned that she was doing it before she started wearing the saddle.

 

[Chickassan]

Still regrowing feathers at the beginning of the squat walking?

I should have mentioned that she was doing it before she started wearing the saddle.

 

[Sundevill11]

Still regrowing feathers at the beginning of the squat walking?

Yes, that would be correct. She has had some of the feathers on her back missing for some time now (maybe more than 2 months or so.) We felt she needed the extra protection a saddle offers with Winter coming soon. We're not sure if the other hens have been pecking at her back causing the feather loss or if it was just natural. We do not have a Rooster in the flock.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yes, that would be correct. She has had some of the feathers on her back missing for some time now (maybe more than 2 months or so.) We felt she needed the extra protection a saddle offers with Winter coming soon. We're not sure if the other hens have been pecking at her back causing the feather loss or if it was just natural. We do not have a Rooster in the flock.

It looked like the saddle causing it to me too... but you say even before that..

How old is she and what are you feeding?

If your hens are causing that... I suggest some rehoming of bully's!

Have you ever checked or treated for parasites? Many of us who free range do deal with poultry lice and mites.

 

[Chickassan]

I think she's molting, and the feathers coming back in are hitting touchy spots making her squat. She doesn't stay low very long like she would if she were ill or injured. I'm still going to say she's fine, just uncomfortable.

Yes, that would be correct. She has had some of the feathers on her back missing for some time now (maybe more than 2 months or so.) We felt she needed the extra protection a saddle offers with Winter coming soon. We're not sure if the other hens have been pecking at her back causing the feather loss or if it was just natural. We do not have a Rooster in the flock.

 

[micstrachan]

I think she’s fine and being separated would cause more stress. Does she do that when you’re not following her? Sometimes my Bridgey will sort of sit down when I approach her, and I wonder if it’s her version of the submissive squat.

 

[Sundevill11]

It looked like the saddle causing it to me too... but you say even before that..

How old is she and what are you feeding?

If your hens are causing that... I suggest some rehoming of bully's!

Have you ever checked or treated for parasites? Many of us who free range do deal with poultry lice and mites.

She is just over a year old and is fed layer pellets either in the Nutrena brand or Purina. Both have the calcium within the feed. She's not the lowest member in the flock and I think she has seniority over 2 of the other hens. We have 8 total chickens. Lastly, she has been checked for parasites and we didn't see any.

 

[Sundevill11]

I think she’s fine and being separated would cause more stress. Does she do that when you’re not following her? Sometimes my Bridgey will sort of sit down when I approach her, and I wonder if it’s her version of the submissive squat.

No, she does it even when we observe her from a far distance.