Chicken walks backwards a few steps while swaying head back and forth

[ChickenLord33]

One of my chickens (Ameraucana), who happens to be the runt of the flock, has started doing this thing where she will walk backwards a few steps while wobbling her head slowly back and forth (left and right not up and down). It almost looks like she is hypnotized when she does it, then she snaps out of it after a few seconds and acts normal. I only noticed this happen 2 times but both times were this week and I've never seen it before. I'll give the chickens their scratch in the morning and when they start pecking she will be pecking for grain then she will all of the sudden exhibit this odd behavior. She is about a year and a half old. Any ideas? Thank you.

PS. Recently one of our chickens got Dry Foul Pox and I had been putting some apple cider vinegar and nutri-drench vitamins in the water for them. The Foul Pox was cured very quickly and didn't spread to the others. Surely my runt was drinking the vitamin water too, could she still be deficient in some way? Doesn't sound right. She has the same amount of food as the other chickens, tons of land to explore and find bugs...she is definitely smaller and the runt.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What's the light level when she does it? Dusk, broad daylight, ect. My Cochin does that when it's shadowy and I think she can't see very well (for a chicken)

 

[ChickenLord33]

What's the light level when she does it? Dusk, broad daylight, ect. My Cochin does that when it's shadowy and I think she can't see very well (for a chicken)

Good question...yesterday it was light out (10am) and I had thought that the rigid defined shadow from the framing of their run had "hypnotized" her or caused the issue...but now today it is cloudy out (9AM) and there are no defined shadows and she did it again. Not very bright out.

PS I love the Cochins, we have 2 Blue Cochins and they are so precious. We call them our "diaper twins" because it looks like they are wearing diapers since they are so fluffy and waddle around.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Are other birds around when she does it?

 

[ChickenLord33]

Are other birds around when she does it?

Yes both times the flock was within the vicinity scratching around.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had a bottom of the pecking order hen that did that and either it was some sort of neurological issue from being pecked in the head, or something like a ducking motion to prevent herself from being pecked in the head.

 

[kcrandall]

I had a rooster that exhibited similar behavior a few years ago. He had gapeworms - small red nematode that infects the trachea. I suggest you worm all your chickens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

who happens to be the runt of the flock, has started doing this thing where she will walk backwards a few steps while wobbling her head slowly back and forth (left and right not up and down). It almost looks like she is hypnotized when she does it, then she snaps out of it after a few seconds and acts normal.

I'll give the chickens their scratch in the morning and when they start pecking she will be pecking for grain then she will all of the sudden exhibit this odd behavior. She is about a year and a half old.

Can you post some photos of her?

At 1 1/2 years old is she molting?
If you see this consistently, try to get a video of her actions - upload video to youtube and provide a link.

She only does this when you give scratch? She may be trying to get her share and the neck motion is adjusting the crop - hard to really know without seeing it.
I would check her crop for a few mornings in a row before she's had anything to eat/drink to make sure it's emptying.

You can also give her a direct dose of poultry vitamins that contains E, B2, B1 (like Poultry Cell) twice a week for a few weeks to see if that makes a difference.

 

[ChickenLord33]

I had a bottom of the pecking order hen that did that and either it was some sort of neurological issue from being pecked in the head, or something like a ducking motion to prevent herself from being pecked in the head.

I am starting to think that this is most likely. Right off the bat the behavior seems like either a neurological issue or mental issue. She is always getting picked on and she's always so frantic compared to the others. She can move around to 10 different spots looking for grain instead of just pecking what's in front of her like all the other chickens do.

I had a rooster that exhibited similar behavior a few years ago. He had gapeworms - small red nematode that infects the trachea. I suggest you worm all your chickens.

Thank you, fortunately I do not think the symptoms I am seeing are a result of gapeworms. I'll keep a look out though.

Can you post some photos of her?

At 1 1/2 years old is she molting?
If you see this consistently, try to get a video of her actions - upload video to youtube and provide a link.

She only does this when you give scratch? She may be trying to get her share and the neck motion is adjusting the crop - hard to really know without seeing it.
I would check her crop for a few mornings in a row before she's had anything to eat/drink to make sure it's emptying.

You can also give her a direct dose of poultry vitamins that contains E, B2, B1 (like Poultry Cell) twice a week for a few weeks to see if that makes a difference.

I will get some photos today. The birds are molting right now in general, but I'll have to get back to ya. I'll try to record the motion to show you and maybe it can help others. Thank you I will check out the "Poultry Cell"!

 

[Avian Allie]

I have a five year old hen who does that. I think it’s when she goes to scratch the wires probably get a little crossed and she moon walks. Worrying at first, but now I think it’s cute because she’s fine. Hope yours is the same!