I have to agree with @Eggcessive assessment on this.
3.5 year old Delaware is actually an aged hen. They are commercially bred for higher production, of particularly large eggs, and therefore are very prone to reproductive problems as they age. Her links to peritonitis are excellent reading.
Rolling to the side is definitely a sign of illness and weakness. So is losing a marked amount of weight. You say her abdomen is soft. How soft? Is there fluid build up?
Pain upon picking her up is most likely due to internal organ pain, perhaps liver inflammation. Or, it could be from arthritis in her hips.
She is definitely not showing signs of broodiness. They sit squarely on the nest, flatten, and puff whenever disturbed. They don't roll to the side.
The stiffness can be from either arthritis, from internal inflammation and egg binding, or may even be Marek's catching up.
Typically chickens laden with worms become anemic and weak to becoming almost unresponsive. Personally, it is not a bad idea to worm a 3.5 year old hen that is showing emaciation if she has not been recently wormed. Worm build up is almost inevitable at this age.
I'm sorry your hen is doing poorly. The best home care right now, if you don't want to take her to the vet, in my opinion, is to give her the TLC you've mentioned. Antibiotics could address systemic infection, which may be from the internal inflammation of any egg duct infection, though won't help if it is something else.
Probiotics will only address the intestinal tract and is a good idea if you are giving antibiotics for systemic infection. The two won't cancel each other out systemically.
The worming will address potential worm build up that could be causing anemia and emaciation to the point of weakness.
The fact that she wants to eat is a good sign, though many with slower wasting Marek's still have a good appetite.
Keep us posted as to her progress.
My thoughts.
LofMc
3.5 year old Delaware is actually an aged hen. They are commercially bred for higher production, of particularly large eggs, and therefore are very prone to reproductive problems as they age. Her links to peritonitis are excellent reading.
Rolling to the side is definitely a sign of illness and weakness. So is losing a marked amount of weight. You say her abdomen is soft. How soft? Is there fluid build up?
Pain upon picking her up is most likely due to internal organ pain, perhaps liver inflammation. Or, it could be from arthritis in her hips.
She is definitely not showing signs of broodiness. They sit squarely on the nest, flatten, and puff whenever disturbed. They don't roll to the side.
The stiffness can be from either arthritis, from internal inflammation and egg binding, or may even be Marek's catching up.
Typically chickens laden with worms become anemic and weak to becoming almost unresponsive. Personally, it is not a bad idea to worm a 3.5 year old hen that is showing emaciation if she has not been recently wormed. Worm build up is almost inevitable at this age.
I'm sorry your hen is doing poorly. The best home care right now, if you don't want to take her to the vet, in my opinion, is to give her the TLC you've mentioned. Antibiotics could address systemic infection, which may be from the internal inflammation of any egg duct infection, though won't help if it is something else.
Probiotics will only address the intestinal tract and is a good idea if you are giving antibiotics for systemic infection. The two won't cancel each other out systemically.
The worming will address potential worm build up that could be causing anemia and emaciation to the point of weakness.
The fact that she wants to eat is a good sign, though many with slower wasting Marek's still have a good appetite.
Keep us posted as to her progress.
My thoughts.
LofMc
