Chicken walking sideways

[Opal8]

My rooster is walking sideways and walking like a soldier. He is leaning to the right side and puts one leg up high in order to take a step.b What could be wrong with him?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've seen that behavior in molting birds, birds with arthritis or injuries, and birds that can't see well. Have you checked him over for sores, and whether he can see. Check feet too. How old is he? He also could have something neurological going on.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with OHLD. It seems neurological, and can be similar to wry neck which includes walking backwards, running in circles, and a twisted neck upward, downward, or to one side. Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? Have you added any new birds in recent weeks or months? Could he have suffered a head or neck injury? It might be good to give him 400 IU of vitamin E daily, and a little vitamin B 1 thiamine, which is in most chickens vitamins. It certainly would not hurt for a couple of weeks.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

My rooster is walking sideways and walking like a soldier. He is leaning to the right side and puts one leg up high in order to take a step.b What could be wrong with him?

It looks like his comb flops to one side. I have a roo that has a floppy comb and for awhile when he was younger it covered his eye and he struggled with balance and fell over several times. At one point he didn’t know his right eye existed because he hadn’t been able to see out of it for a long time. He’s older now and his comb still flops but it doesn’t cover his eye and he walks fine. All that to say, see if his comb is covering his eye. It tends to confuse them when they can’t see.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would also make sure that he is not dehydrated or getting overheated. Electrolytes in the water for a day or two would not hurt.