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Chicken laying face up

Posts: 261

Location: Denia, Alicante, Spain. Zone 10. 22m height

posted 2 years ago

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Hi! One of Our chickens lays faces up and we don't know why, and we are wondering if we should ever let her stay like that.

We observed the last two days that this chicken is limping. Of course, this can be many many things. We had extreme wind here and the mobile "chick shaw" went upside down and she might be injured. Also our little mastiff run a lot after this one and maybe is injured. And also she can be sick, and having Marek disease. The curious thing is that often we find this one laying face up. We try to put her straight, but she changes position, it is like if she is "wanting" to be that way. Or this is my wife theory, that she's got pain in the leg so she prefers to change to that position. But it is more difficult for her to eat and drink that way.

We have this one apart from the flock to see her evolution, but we are wondering why might this one be laying with the back on the floor and the legs upside. I'm looking for info about this specifics, but I find nothing

Robert Ray

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posted 2 years ago

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I've never heard of that behaviour. Honestly, I imagined a hen, laying an egg on her back and had to take a look at this post. I have never seen that either.

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Juniper Zen

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posted 2 years ago

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Antonio Hache wrote:But it is more difficult for her to eat and drink that way.

She doesn't get up and walk around, and eat and drink normally? Is she spending all day in this position?

Zone 9b

Antonio Hache

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Location: Denia, Alicante, Spain. Zone 10. 22m height

posted 2 years ago

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Juniper Zen wrote:

Antonio Hache wrote:But it is more difficult for her to eat and drink that way.

She doesn't get up and walk around, and eat and drink normally? Is she spending all day in this position?

She moves towards the water or food, with lots of effort, and once she got what she wanted, she lays face up again

Antonio Hache

Posts: 261

Location: Denia, Alicante, Spain. Zone 10. 22m height

posted 2 years ago

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Robert Ray wrote:I've never heard of that behaviour. Honestly, I imagined a hen, laying an egg on her back and had to take a look at this post. I have never seen that either.

Yes, it is hard to imagine and also in English is more difficult because the double meaning of laying. In Spanish we'd say "poner un huevo" to "lay an egg" an "tumbarse" for "laying on her back". But in English is the same word.

But she is not laying eggs, she is laying just like The Dude in a couch

John F Dean

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posted 2 years ago

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First, separate it from the other chickens.

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Chris Vee

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posted 2 years ago

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I don't suppose we could get a video or photos of this phenomenon?... I'm going to say it's 5G

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Juniper Zen

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posted 2 years ago

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Antonio Hache wrote:She moves towards the water or food, with lots of effort, and once she got what she wanted, she lays face up again

No idea what could be causing it, but that is indeed very strange behavior, which to me hints that she is feeling very unwell. You said she was limping before - maybe this is the way that she's found to keep pressure completely off an injury?

You already separated her, so I assume that you placed her food and water quite close, to make healing easier on her. If she were my chicken, I would probably bring her inside for extra close monitoring. But beyond that... I'd be doing the same as you, posting online wherever I could, because that is truly bizarre!

Zone 9b

Chris Vee

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posted 2 years ago

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...Just a second thought; I'd definitely bring her inside as well; but possibly vertigo? Where her equilibrium is off therefor nausea is only relieved when upside-down? (in which case an ear issue or concussion) Please keep us posted

William Bronson

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posted 2 years ago

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How is her vent/butt"
Maybe she's try to spare her sore bottom?

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Antonio Hache

Posts: 261

Location: Denia, Alicante, Spain. Zone 10. 22m height

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Here you have her . Most of the day she is in this position or even more exagerated

20230126_092759.jpg

Chris Vee

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Antonio Hache wrote:Here you have her . Most of the day she is in this position or even more exagerated

Man, I think subconsciously I was hoping for at least a little bit of humor but that is seriously heart-wrenching; it's been troubling me since I saw the picture. That poor thing.

Mercy Pergande

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posted 2 years ago

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I read that this can indicate a Vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 deficiencies in chickens are common and can cause nervous system issues, leg weakness, and toes curling, making normal walking uncomfortable . In extreme cases your chicken will end up lying on its side or back to relieve its legs and feet.

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Antonio Hache

Posts: 261

Location: Denia, Alicante, Spain. Zone 10. 22m height

posted 2 years ago

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I gave this girl vitamins but it was too late. Other Sussex started like this and with vitamins improved, but once I stopped she got like that again and died.

Hard life in the coop

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