Mental issues with chickens.

[ChicksInFlorida]

So this may be a very stupid question but is it possible for chickens to have autism or some kind a mental issue along those lines? This could be very helpful to me, thank you.

 

[MeepBeep]

Sure any animal can have mental issues or disabilities...

 

[drumstick diva]

There can also be brain damage from injuries, diseases, birth defects. What are your birds doing that make you feel this way. Chickens are not rocket scientists - maybe their behaviors are norm .

 

[gander007]

Yes some chickens are slower then others and having Autism is a living creature curse now Autism is a totally new diagnoses as it use to all fall under MR back when I was young and a little more the 20 years ago the mental people came up with a new diagnoses and called it Autism .....

Yes I have thought this about some of my chickens before ..............

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! We are here to help in any way we can. Drumstick diva has posed some good questions. What kind of seemingly abnormal behavior are you observing in your chickens?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Absolutely. If the issues is not genetic, it can stem from disease, injury or any thing that might cause damage to the brain. So you have a bird with an issue? If so, lots of supportive care can keep them alive a long time and even heal them. Keep them very warm if they are cold, feed them what ever they will eat as many times they go off their feed and water, and keep them safe from the others if they are getting picked on.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X5, chickens can have mental/neurological issues, a number of diseases especially can cause odd behavior, if you are having problems with your flock you might want to post in the Emergencies forum https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures