Injury or old? Please help!

[ClucksAndCombs]

Hello,
I have an 11 yr old SLW hen who has had a rough last two weeks. She has been very off balance and frequently tumbling into her right side. Any task is hard as she either falls or loses her balance. Due to the advice of a member on a pervious post, we speculated that she was vitamin deficient and I have been giving her a pinch of vitamins and probiotics twice a day + extra supplements and sunflower seeds. She is not improving. She leans to her side when she sits and cannot eat standing up and would just tumble forward as her tail would be high up. I’m a pretty experienced chicken owner but havent seen this before, and I’ve dealt with Mareks and its paralysis- she definitely doesn’t have it (too old, shot was given as chick). Her appetite is fine as well and she stumbles before letting out a massive but otherwise normal poop. Just three weeks ago she was a generally happy hen who actually laid eggs every so often. Her comb is a bright heathy red and no obvious injuries to her legs. Hasn’t had crop issues or breathing issues, breath smells fine. Literally the only symptom is a terrible balance and frequent falls as she attempts to right herself and just stumbles forward tail up until she crashes- it’s horrible to watch.
She still loves to dust bath with her friends but I’m definitely thinking they’ll eventually turn on her as she’s fallen on them multiple times and just sits there for most of the day. I have her in my lap as she eats and drinks but this isn’t how a chicken should live.
thank you! If you don’t mind please tag users you know who may be able to help!

 

[ronott1]

How is she doing now?

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

How is she doing now?

Sorry for the lack of updates. Another hen had a sudden death- second seizure during a free range this year.
the older hen is doing a bit better. She really trusts me now and is able to walk around and eat from the ground with little problems. Still has issues with running but id like to think she looks at me and knows I’ll pick her up to where she wants to go. I’ve gone down to one dose of vitamins and I’ve prepared even more yogurt and conditioner feed for them. They especially love soaked layer pellets- suddenly they are horses?
during all of this, she has maintained her position and routinely pecks the younger clan as normal. The one who recently died was the second oldest but she had a fairly strong connection with them but it could have a play in her role now.
I still keep watch on her during a free range unless she’s in the garden or another hidden area with dust bathing spots. She has always loved dust bathing and even during the worst, she always plopped down to roll a bit.
Still unsure if it’s just old age or pre molt (maybe like a PMS but pre molt syndrome?) however the vitamins have helped her- I know from experience it sometimes takes a little while to kick in.
She is enjoying her little chicken life with little problems which is what matters- thank you! only problem is now this old gal is really attached to me hah.

 

[ronott1]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Another hen had a sudden death- second seizure during a free range this year.
the older hen is doing a bit better. She really trusts me now and is able to walk around and eat from the ground with little problems. Still has issues with running but id like to think she looks at me and knows I’ll pick her up to where she wants to go. I’ve gone down to one dose of vitamins and I’ve prepared even more yogurt and conditioner feed for them. They especially love soaked layer pellets- suddenly they are horses?
during all of this, she has maintained her position and routinely pecks the younger clan as normal. The one who recently died was the second oldest but she had a fairly strong connection with them but it could have a play in her role now.
I still keep watch on her during a free range unless she’s in the garden or another hidden area with dust bathing spots. She has always loved dust bathing and even during the worst, she always plopped down to roll a bit.
Still unsure if it’s just old age or pre molt (maybe like a PMS but pre molt syndrome?) however the vitamins have helped her- I know from experience it sometimes takes a little while to kick in.
She is enjoying her little chicken life with little problems which is what matters- thank you! only problem is now this old gal is really attached to me hah.

Thanks for the update!