What to Know and What to Watch For

Raising chickens can be a delightful and educational experience. Over time, you get familiar with the expected behaviours and appearances of your flock. But every now and then, you might spot a chicken that looks or behaves unusual compared to the rest. These outliers can spark curiosity—and sometimes concern—especially when their unique traits aren’t easily explained online (That we often look at). 

At ChickCoop®, we’ve seen it all—and we’re here to help you understand some of the lesser-known but surprisingly common abnormalities that may appear in your flock. 

 1. Dwarfism 

Dwarf chickens are often the result of a hormonal or genetic deficiency that stunts growth. Despite eating normally (sometimes even more than others), these birds fail to grow in size. One visible sign is a droopy wing—the secondary feathers fail to cover the primaries properly. 

  • In some cases, this condition is natural and seen in certain breeds like Serama or Japanese Bantams. 
  • But if multiple chickens develop drooping wings suddenly, it could signal disease—time to consult a vet! 

 2.  Wry Tail 

The Unusual Characterstics of Chicken

Ever seen a chicken with its tail bent to one side? That’s wry tail, and it’s more common than you might think, especially in roosters. The tail tilts noticeably to the left or right. Luckily, it doesn’t affect the bird’s health or well-being and is mostly a cosmetic concern. 

3. Wry Neck (Torticollis) 

A more serious issue is wry neck, where a chicken’s head twists abnormally, affecting its balance and coordination. It may stem from: 

  • Physical injury, 
  • Vitamin E deficiency, 
  • Neurological disorders, 
  • Inner ear infections, 
  • Or even exposure to toxins like botulism. 

Prompt treatment and dietary supplements often help if caught early. 

4. Splayed Leg 

In newly hatched chicks, legs that slip to the side are a sign of splayed leg. These chicks struggle to stand, walk, or reach food and water. 

Common causes: 

  • Slippery brooder floors, 
  • High humidity or heat during incubation, 
  • Weak leg muscles. 

Pro Tip:  

Early intervention—like using leg hobbles and improving traction—can often correct this condition. 

How to Fix Splayed Leg?

The issue can easily be fix by the buckling the leg with the strip to help the chick stand firmly. It may take from few days to a week until the chicks can walk properly.

5. Split Comb 

This occurs when the single comb (the fleshy crest on the chicken’s head) splits vertically at the back. Though it may not affect health, it’s undesirable in show birds and might indicate a genetic imperfection. 

6. Split Crest 

In crested breeds like Polish or Sultan chickens, the crown of feathers should be full and rounded. A split crest causes the feathers to part awkwardly, affecting the bird’s elegant look. Again, it’s a visual flaw, not a health issue. 

7. Split Tail 

A healthy tail should be symmetrical. In chickens with split tail, there’s a visible gap between the primary sickle feathers. This may be due to poor feather development and is considered an undesirable trait in show poultry. 

8. Duck Foot 

Normally, a chicken’s hind toe should point backward for balance. In duck-footed birds, that toe points forward, giving the foot a flat, webbed appearance. This affects posture and balance, especially in older or heavier birds. 

 Final Thoughts from ChickCoop® 

Don’t panic if you spot one of these traits in your flock. Many of these conditions are Harmless to the bird, Not contagious, and Often appearance are just cosmetic in nature. 

However, it’s crucial to observe patterns—if multiple chickens develop similar issues quickly, it could indicate disease or environmental problems. 

At ChickCoop®, we’re more than just a Chicken Company, writing interesting blogs about them– we’re your trusted partner in building a modernized, sustainable and profitable farm. From breed selection to buy-back support, feed guidance, and modern farm management tips, we ensure farmers like you achieve the best results and profits.

Call us today to discuss your farming needs
📧 Email us at: write@chickcoop.in
📞 Call us: +91-9939209699