The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Izzy on December 16, 2010, 08:19:18 pm

Title: chook walking sideways
Post by: Izzy on December 16, 2010, 08:19:18 pm
I share 7 black rock hybrid girls. We live in central Scotland so have had snow on the ground for the last 2 weeks. The girls don't like it but quite a bit of ground is bare now and by afternoon it has defrosted and they can get out to range about. Today when I visited they were looking ok (they are moulting) but one was acting very odd. She wasn't with the others and when she saw me with food she came towards me but by walking sideways.

She is half bare of feathers at the moment but I don't think she has been injured. Her skin looks fine I'm sure she's just moulting. A head injury? Slipped on the ice and pulled a muscle?

Has anyone else seen anything similar?
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: doganjo on December 16, 2010, 10:49:25 pm
Never seen that, but mine have been walking very slowly over the snow.  They don't like it at all, nor do I for that matter.  Do you get them inside at night so they are cosy?  I have two that won't go in the pop hole so every night for the last three weeks I have been going into their run and putting them through in the vain hope they will suddenly click it is the best place to be on a night like this.  Hope your girl is OK in the morning.
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: princesspiggy on December 16, 2010, 11:47:56 pm
sometimes u have to walk like uv pooed ur pants so u dont slip on ice  :'(  frostbite?
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: princesspiggy on December 16, 2010, 11:48:36 pm
crabs maybe lol  ;D :D
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: robert waddell on December 17, 2010, 09:13:26 am
now thats funny
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: northfifeduckling on December 19, 2010, 11:07:41 am
how is she today? You didn't mention if she was limping at all, then she could have hurt her foot.  ??? :&>
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: princesspiggy on December 19, 2010, 10:38:04 pm
i dont think mine like the snow cos they keep trying  to jump on me head! anywheres better than cold snow. actually my aracauna is holding one of his toes different now, before he was fine. is it any better?  :chook:
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: Izzy on December 22, 2010, 09:48:01 pm
She is ok-ish. Feeding fine and new quills coming in so she'll soon be not so bare. Her sideways walking has turned into a sideways stagger - basically looks pissed as a newt.

I took a 2 min video clip today and intended to post it here or on yootoob but the camera is inherited  and I don't have the software disc to download. Will have a rumage thru' Dad's desk at Christmas and see if I can get footage online.
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: doganjo on December 22, 2010, 11:16:58 pm
Mine look a bit drunk too and definitely bedraggled - they hop from one foot to the other kicking out with the one they just lifted so it looks like a new kind of dance.  Sometimes they bring some straw out won their feet and it gets stuck on so I have to go in and free them from their big snow skis  ;D
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: Izzy on January 03, 2011, 08:31:11 am
The good news is that she has sorted herself out and is now walking normally. Out of interest you might like to see her doing her sideways stagger. It is funny to watch now we know she has recovered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRi3iQrgkTk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRi3iQrgkTk)
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: doganjo on January 03, 2011, 09:49:04 am
Gosh, I can see why you were worried, she does look drunk.  Glad she's fine now.
Title: Re: chook walking sideways
Post by: princesspiggy on January 03, 2011, 01:40:21 pm
did she eat something poisonous? my old rabbit went like that when he ate ivy in the garden, unfortunately he died of liver poisoning but he went like that the week before he died?