Why Do Chickens Walk Backwards? One Way To Stop This!

Chickens can't tell you when something is wrong, so odd behavior is often the first clue. Walking backward is one of the strangest, and it usually means a health problem.

Why do chickens walk backwards? Walking backward is a sign of a nervous system problem. A common cause is vitamin E deficiency, sometimes with low selenium, which can damage the part of the brain that controls balance. Affected birds may also lose their balance, twist or tilt their head (often called wry neck or crookneck) or fall over.

Vitamin E deficiency is not the only cause. Head injuries, infections such as Marek's disease or Newcastle disease, other nutritional problems and toxins can cause similar signs, so a vet should examine the bird.

Is Walking Backwards Healthy For My Chicken?

No. A chicken that walks backward or sideways, or whose head and legs seem to go in different directions, has a problem with coordination.

Affected birds may lean on walls to stay upright and can struggle to reach food and water. Act quickly, because birds that can't eat or drink get weaker fast.

Why Do Baby Chicks Walk Backwards?

Chicks can show the same signs. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes encephalomalacia ("crazy chick disease") as a vitamin E deficiency disorder of chicks whose classic sign is ataxia, meaning loss of coordination.

It is linked to diets very low in vitamin E, a lack of antioxidants in the feed or feed high in unstable, unsaturated fat. Fresh, properly stored chick starter is the best prevention.

What Should I Do When My Chicken Walks Backwards?

Separate the bird from the flock in a quiet, safe pen. Other chickens may peck at a bird that behaves strangely, and isolation also helps if the cause turns out to be contagious.

Make sure the bird can reach food and water easily. Some sick birds need help eating and drinking.

Contact a vet who treats poultry. Merck notes that encephalomalacia may respond to vitamin E supplementation, depending on how much brain damage has already occurred.

Backyard keepers often give vitamin E, sometimes combined with selenium. Ask your vet for the right product and dose for your bird's weight. Selenium in particular is toxic in excess, and human supplements are not designed for chickens.

Also review the diet. A fresh, complete layer or starter feed should supply the vitamins and minerals your birds need. Old, rancid or homemade feed raises the risk of deficiency.

Can Chickens Run Backwards?

A chicken that "runs" backward is showing the same loss of control, usually in a more advanced stage. Treat it as the same emergency.

How Important Is Vitamin E for Chickens?

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient and antioxidant. According to Merck, the three main disorders seen in vitamin E deficient chicks are encephalomalacia, exudative diathesis and muscular dystrophy.

Exudative diathesis occurs when the diet is low in both vitamin E and selenium. Muscular dystrophy is rare in chicks because it also requires a deficiency of certain amino acids.

Complete commercial feeds are formulated to cover it, so most healthy flocks on fresh feed don't need extra supplements.

Can Other Birds Walk Backwards Too?

Other birds can show similar signs when they have a neurological problem, a deficiency or an injury. In any pet bird, sudden loss of balance or walking backward calls for a vet visit.

Why Does My Chicken Walk Like a Duck?

A hen that suddenly stands upright and waddles like a duck may have a serious reproductive problem, such as egg yolk peritonitis.

Peritonitis can develop when yolk ends up in the abdomen instead of moving down the oviduct. The abdomen can swell with fluid and become infected, and the condition can be fatal.

A swollen, soft or fluid-filled belly is a warning sign. Take her to a vet promptly instead of trying to treat it at home; treatment may include draining fluid, medication or surgery.

Why Does My Chicken Walk Like a Penguin?

A penguin-like, upright stance with a swollen abdomen points to the same group of problems. Possible causes include a blocked or egg-bound oviduct, internal laying and peritonitis.

These problems are more common in overweight hens and in pullets that start laying too young. A hen that strains without passing an egg, or stands upright and sluggish, needs a vet quickly.

Conclusion

Walking backward is not a quirk. It is a sign of a neurological problem, and vitamin E deficiency is a common cause, though not the only one.

Walking like a duck or a penguin points to reproductive problems such as egg binding or peritonitis. In every case, isolate the bird, keep it eating and drinking and get advice from a vet who treats poultry before giving any supplement or medicine.

Sources

• Vitamin Deficiencies in Poultry, Merck Veterinary Manual
• Behavior Problems of Poultry, Merck Veterinary Manual