[Kathie]

Hi all,
Just been out watching the chooks and noticed our remaining ex batt Daisy, who we have had for a little over 2 years, was acting a little strange.  She was stood in front of a raised water bowl and after taking a drink took 3 steps backward, approached the bowl again and repeated.  Is this something to worry about or just an old lady's foible? She is eating and drinking and doesn't appear to be unwell, she just slows down a little early evening.
All opinions welcome, thank you.

[joyfull]

if she is eating and drinking well with no other symptoms or problems then I wouldn't worry too much.

[Kathie]

Thanks Joyfull, it's a worry as she is our last ex batt, will keep an eye on her today to make sure she ok apart from the water driving her back!

[GrannieAnnie]

If she'only doing it for thsoe few steps, like Joy said, I wouldn't worry about it, but if she was walking backwards all the time I's worry more, as I think that's a sign of neurological damage.

We've got a layer who walks round and round the water bucket, stops to have a drink, looks around to make sure no one's watching then walks round and round again.  She does this about 3 times, then runs off to play with the others!   

[joyfull]

sounds like your chicken has OCD Grannie 

[LittleRedHen]

If she was originally a barn raised hen, perhaps that is learned behaviour of sharing the waterer.  Just a thought.

[Kathie]

She was a caged bird LittleRedHen, came to us looking like she should be in the supermarket! Have watched her all day as we have been working in the garden and she has done it several times, but everything else seems fine, no running backwards when the corn came out. Maybe like Grannie Annie's chook she has developed OCD

[GrannieAnnie]

Maybe!!   

[GrannieAnnie]

If she was originally a barn raised hen, perhaps that is learned behaviour of sharing the waterer.  Just a thought.

What, like a barn dance?? 

[8doubles]

My light sussex does it occasionally, i think they are backing away from the cold sensation as the water goes down.

Chicken logic !