I have a chicken walking like a High Stepping Horse.

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

My Olive egger Queen Victoria that walks around like a high stepping horse. It's cold here but there are parts of the yard with grass not covered by the snow. She is a pullet ready to lay as I saw her squat two days ago when I was in the run feeding them.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Sounds like acites or egg bound

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Wow, okay I need to try and catch her to check.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

My Olive egger Queen Victoria that walks around like a high stepping horse. It's cold here but there are parts of the yard with grass not covered by the snow. She is a pullet ready to lay as I saw her squat two days ago when I was in the run feeding them.

What do you mean "high-stepping?" If she had ascites, she'd be waddling more like a penguin. Is she just trying to avoid the snow? How is she acting otherwise? Eating, drinking?

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

It's like a prance... prissy...She is eating and drinking. Her comb and waddles are bright read. When I threw some feed for them to scratch at in the yard, she was running normal. It's just when she is strolling. Yes, my first thought a few days ago was the cold. She brings her feet as it to tuck one under her feathers to get warm. I think she is the one who is laying the darker green egg. I have a fauvacauna (sp). I'll know if they both lay on the same day.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I will have to get her off the roost tonight.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

It's like a prance... prissy...She is eating and drinking. Her comb and waddles are bright read. When I threw some feed for them to scratch at in the yard, she was running normal. It's just when she is strolling. Yes, my first thought a few days ago was the cold. She brings her feet as it to tuck one under her feathers to get warm. I think she is the one who is laying the darker green egg. I have a fauvacauna (sp). I'll know if they both lay on the same day.

Hmm, interesting. Do you have a video of her doing it? It sound like it's just a quirk, and she's fine.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

That's what I get for naming her Queen Victoria.

 

[aart]

Sounds like acites or egg bound

Have never heard of high stepping being a symptom of either of these.

 

[aldarita]

I don't think your hen has ascites nor is eggbound. I have 3 andalusians that are 8 years old and have been doing that "high stepping". I don't quite know what it means (they don't do it all the time). I suspect it has to do with rearranging the crop. I watched them very close and it looks to me that the high stepping is high enough to move the crop. Well, like I said, this is just an observation. Don't worry about it. Your Queen Victoria is totally normal.