What's wrong with my chicken (pics included)

[Iansmommy]

We call her hunchback, but she has looked like this since she was a chick. Not sure what is wrong with her back. Any ideas? As far as I know she hasn't started laying yet and we were wondering if maybe she won't due to her back. I've also posted a pic of one of her sisters to compare.

Hunchback

and this is one of her sisters Pretty Girl

 

[sussexgal]

She's been like that since hatching? Sounds like a congenital malformation. If it's not putting a hitch in her giddyup, then egg laying will be the next hurdle for her to clear. Does she get pastey butt or is she able to stay clean "back there"? How old is Hunchback? Are her sisters laying? You can tell if she is getting ready to lay by how far apart her pubic bones are... measure in finger widths. I think it's three or more and she's getting ready or is already laying. Moist, puffy vent area is an indicator too... compared to a dry, small vent. Her spine is a whole different developmental area than her egg laying apparatus... so.... an abnormal spine is probably not an indicator of whether she'll lay eggs or not. She's a pretty little girl. I wish you luck with her.

 

[Iansmommy]

They were all 23 weeks last Monday. Most of the girls are laying I think. We have 14 hens and the most eggs we have gotten in 1 day is 12.

I haven't noticed any pasty butt. She seems pretty clean.

Thanks
Leah