Hen Staggering, Droopy Wing

[theoldfarmhouse]

I have a 3-year-old Welsummer hen who has been unable to stand for long before her wing droops and she lies down on her side. This has been going on for about a month. I have her separated in a large cage. She is still eating well. Her comb is red and eyes are clear. She has been wormed and dusted for mites and lice. I have given her a vitamin supplement and Sulfa 3 in her water but no improvement. I’m in Australia so can’t access antibiotics over the counter. A trip to the vet will cost minimum $250 so not keen to go that route. Any other ideas? Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

3-year-old Welsummer hen who has been unable to stand for long before her wing droops and she lies down on her side. This has been going on for about a month.

She has been wormed and dusted for mites and lice. I have given her a vitamin supplement and Sulfa 3 in her water but no improvement.

I'm sorry about your hen.

Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last 30 days?
Is she still laying eggs?
What did you worm her with?
Did she have lice/mites?
What do you feed?
Photos of her and her poop?
Is she crop emptying overnight?
I would feel her abdomen below the vent between the legs - is there any swelling, bloat or feeling of fluid?

With her age, she may be suffering from a reproductive issue. EYP, cancer or similar could be her problem (sadly a lot of times you don't know unless they die and you look at the internal organs)

Marek's also comes to mind. Even though she's older, some birds can become symptomatic at anytime.

Sometimes supportive care is all you can do unless it's obvious of what's going on. It sounds like you have addressed the most common things that most of us would (worms, lice, etc.).

If you haven't done so - offering poultry vitamins that have E, B1 and B2 won't hurt.