1) What type of bird , age and weight. RIR, 15 months, smaller bird 2) What is the behavior, exactly. Hen is walking crouched down on her legs. 3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Just noticed it. She wasn't doing it this afternoon. 4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. Not that I can see. I did put a chicken saddle on her yesterday. She also has the remains of some duct tape on her back. She's one of the rooster's favorites. 5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. I don't know. 6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Layer pellets, Purina and table scraps 7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Haven't seen her poop. 8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? None 9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? If I can, I'd like to treat her myself. 10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. 11) Describe the housing/bedding in use Wooden coop/straw bedding on second floor, first floor deep litter/ large enclosed run
One of my RIRs did the exact same thing after dust bathing. It got up but didn't shake itself off, did two "waddling laps around a neaby dust-bather then waddled over to me and jumped up on my knee. It sat there for a while picking at its feathers, shook iteself out a little bit and jumped down. I haven't seen the behavior since. Unless you keep seeing this happen I wouldn't worry about it. Chickens do dumb stuff, probably just to mess with us. Whitey
Perhaps she thinks the chicken saddle is something pressing down on her, and she is trying to get out from under it. I have seen cats do this if tape is stuck on their backs, maybe chickens will do the same thing. Try removing the saddle for a bit to see if she walks normal.
