how do you tell with a chicken is mentally set back?

[silkiemother]

how do you tell with a chicken is mentally set back? I have a 5 month old chicken who is different in all ways both mentally and physically.and I think he is messed up in the head but how do I tell?

 

[Matilda Belle]

What exactly is he doing that makes you think something is wrong mentally?

 

[silkiemother]

well, he is for sure a boy, but he is two times smaller than her, he still peeps like a chick, and he is just .... slow

 

[Matilda Belle]

Maybe something is wrong health wise that he isn't growing? Is he peeping/crying like something is wrong? Photos and/or a video would be helpful.

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

More insight would help determine

 

[Mtnboomer]

If it was just personality, I'd say he just may be on the shy side and shy hens or roosters won't climb the pecking order very high. I have a shy hen almost 12 months old that gets pecked out of the way by my 5 month old chicks even though she is twice their size. I feel bad cause she is a sweetheart, but she just waits her turn feeding until all the fuss has died down.
But the fact that he is undersized versus other birds his age could be a health issue, worms, or he could be being bullied from the feeder if he's just shy.

 

[silkiemother]

there are only two of them and he had a very difficult hatching because the hen quit the nest and then the heat lamp was at the wrong temp .could that have caused it?

 

[Mtnboomer]

I haven't personally had this issue before, but it stands to reason that a temp change during the developing process could alter or disrupt the chicks development. They develop so quickly and need just the right conditions. Maybe other members will be more help.

 

[silkiemother]

thanks for the bit of insight you gave me

 

[aart]

he had a very difficult hatching

Could be neurological issues, silkies have that funky vaulted skull which makes them more susceptible to brain injury.