Chicken can’t hold up head and droopy wings, looking for help

[JoeyKrikorian]

I have 6- eleven week old hens and for the past several days one of them (a buff Orpington) has been staying behind in the coop when they get let out in the morning. She has also been returning to the coop alone throughout the day. This afternoon we found her unable to hold up her head and with droopy wings (see picture). My first thought was wry neck but the droopy wings seems to be more a symptom of botulism. They have access to our compost pile - so we’re not ruling out botulism - but no one else is experiencing symptoms. We have them on medicated chick and grower crumbles. Does anyone have any suggestions of what this might be? And/or suggestions on treatment?

Thanks in advance

Also, this is my first post so hello to anyone who happens upon my question. Wish I was introducing myself under better circumstances.

UPDATE 9/22
I isolated this pullet from the others. Checking on her first thing this morning, it seemed like she was able to drink and eat, and her poops look normal. However, almost complete paralysis seems to have set in (see updates picture). Not sure what to do besides try to give her food and water by hand.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your pullet. Is her neck stuck down, or is it limp—can you raise it? Is she walking okay, or is she imbalanced? Could she have been kept from food and water by the others, since she was acting off? Can she drink some water for you? I would give electrolytes and vitamins if possible. Vitamin E would be good. It does appear to be wry neck (torticolis) but the drooping wings might be a sign of dehydration or even Mareks disease. What do the poops look like? Try to separate her in a dog crate for observation. Get her eating and drinking, and some like chick feed mixed with water in a small bow and scrambled bits of egg.

 

[JoeyKrikorian]

Hi @Eggcessive, thanks for the reply! Her neck is limp, not stuck, I can raise it. She is definitely off-balance and I can’t tell if she’s trying to raise her head or if she’s a little spastic. She is now isolated with food and water and she ate and drank (or she seemed to). I’ll check her poops now that she’s isolated. Hopefully she’ll be ok. We’ll see if her condition changes and I’ll update the post.
Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[Eggcessive]

I am not an expert on botulism by any means, but from what I have read, it causes a limber neck or flaccid paralysis of the neck. But before that happens, it causes the same flaccid paralysis of the feet, then the legs, and then wings. So if she can stand, the flaccid wings are probably more likely due to dehydration or a neurological condition. Mareks disease is common in chickens under 7 months old, and there are 4 types of signs. The neural form can cause weakness or paralysis of one or both legs or wings, and twisted or limp neck. Here is some reading about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/