[Knighty]

I am very new to this chicken keeping, i have two sussex blacks which i had from chicks and two rescue brown hens from M&S egg farm. The two sussex blacks seem to have real problems walking, they lift each leg in turn with such an exagerated movement, it looks like something is wrong with their legs.
One chicken is very small and is not laying eggs and walks like a crab, sideways, but gets about. The other is larger and laying but stands on one leg at a time, even while feeding.
All are eating and the feathers are looking shiny and generally they seem healthy.
I just wondered if anyone else has experienced anything like it, should i try and find a poultry vet??

[SusieB]

I have seen a chicken walk in the exaggerated way you describe for the 2 Sussex Blacks.  The treatment seemed to be some sort of dip, because her feet were turquoise (I think, or was it purple).  Sorry, can't remember what the problem was, so hopefully somebody will be along soon who knows what they're talking about.

[Foxy]

What flooring have you got them on? Odd that they all seem to have walking issues,yet seem very healthy otherwise. Have you been able to examine the base of their feet for any envidence of marks, cuts swelling or heat?

How high are their perches?

[dizzylizzie]

I was talking to Joy this morning about that , both my and Joys birds do a kind of 'goose step' in the frost/snow......very funny to watch

[joyfull]

the sablepoots had to stick their legs out side ways in the snow 
If however they aren't on snow and they have only just started doing it then do like Foxy says and check their feet to see if they have got bumblefoot or something else wrong with their feet.

[GrannieAnnie]

My young RIR's do a 'goosestep' around the run, but I thought it was because the ground is so cold!