Genetic related wry tail? Or just previous environment?

[NatJ]

Her tail is almost always streamline with her body so it might have been due do her past environment. Her brother also has a new tail he's growing and it's generally always straight as well.

I was just thinking: this looks like the answer to the original question in the title of this thread. Since the tails did straighten out in a new environment, they were probably crooked because of the previous environment. Obviously the genetics of the chickens did not change when they were moved to a new home.

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

I was just thinking: this looks like the answer to the original question in the title of this thread. Since the tails did straighten out in a new environment, they were probably crooked because of the previous environment. Obviously the genetics of the chickens did not change when they were moved to a new home.

Yup! Such a shame though because the new problem is that the roosters gone aggressive. Like he's MEAN

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

I'm really happy about the hen though, I guess wry tail can be caused by environment!

 

[NatJ]

I'm really happy about the hen though, I guess wry tail can be caused by environment!

Now we know that is something to keep in mind when raising chickens: a small cage can cause a chicken to carry their tail sideways so habitually that it looks like wry tail. Definitely a thing to be avoided for anyone who wants straight-tailed birds!

I suspect it would be most common in chickens with the longest tails, and least for the shortest tails (so Phoenix worse than Leghorns, with Cochins better than either), but I don't know for sure. Your situation is the first time I've really thought about it.