Hen bowing head, walking backwards - seems to be getting worse

[jonalisa]

My Silver Gray Dorking, currently at end of a molt, is approaching the feed then bobbing her head up and down, then taking steps backwards, then forward. It appears neurological. i noticed it in the past weeks once or twice but it was a fleeting, jerky motion. Now she seems to be doing it often and longer. Her comb is pale (although most of them are in these frigid temps).
She's small and close to the bottom of the pecking order - although most pay her no mind. She used to run to me when she saw me, but she seems timid now.

Would appreciate some guidance. She's me favorite and I am worried.

jonalisa

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My Silver Gray Dorking, currently at end of a molt, is approaching the feed then bobbing her head up and down, then taking steps backwards, then forward. It appears neurological. i noticed it in the past weeks once or twice but it was a fleeting, jerky motion. Now she seems to be doing it often and longer. Her comb is pale (although most of them are in these frigid temps).
She's small and close to the bottom of the pecking order - although most pay her no mind. She used to run to me when she saw me, but she seems timid now.

Would appreciate some guidance. She's me favorite and I am worried.

jonalisa

I would watch to make sure she is eating well - check her crop to see if it's full-ish at night and empty in the morning. Molting birds don't seem to have a good appetite.

I would also give her a direct dose of poultry vitamins that contain Vitamin E for a few days in a row. Poultry Nutri-Drench or Poultry Cell will work - 1 cc per 3 pounds of weight.

Molting is very hard on them, she also may like some extra protein - egg, tuna, liver, meat. I normally just give the whole flock eggs (they love them!) but make sure the molters get a share. Depends on your set-up, you may need to take her out for 10-15 minutes so she can have her protein treat without any conflict

 

[chickens really]

Put her into a crate and get her eating her regular feed. Possibly a deficiency. You can try a Poultry vitamin if she is lacking after her molt.

 

[jonalisa]

Ok, thank you both. I do have Nutridrench and I also have been giving chopped boiled egg, greens and tuna - but yes, she needs her own dining room

Thanks i will try this -
Joan