Off balanced, droopy wings & diarrhea in hen - please help!

OkieBirdFam

In the Brooder
Joined
Oct 30, 2025
Messages
4
Reaction score
14
Points
26
Hello!
We have a New Hampshire Red hen (approx. 1.4 years old) showing some alarming symptoms:
  • droopy wings
  • ruffled feathers/puffed up
    • going through a hard molt as well (we just experienced our first light frost in central OK)
  • uncoordinated walking/stumbly (I may try to get a video of her walking later today and share.)
    • not complete paralysis - will stand and lay down
  • diarrhea
    • no blood or worms visible (yet)
As soon as we noticed this, we isolated her and introduced extra vitamins/calcium in her water and food. That was about 4 days ago. Tried to reintroduce her to the flock this morning, but more of the same, so we are continuing to isolate to monitor food/water intake.

Initially I wondered if she was egg bound as our flock is going through molt and it's common for her breed, but after a few warm Epsom salt baths, no egg and no changes. She also doesn't feel egg bound. I checked her crop first thing this morning and it feels okay, maybe slightly squishy. No fluids or smells coming from her beak. Not ruling out a crop or reproductive issue - just currently not at the top of my list.

We have one other hen who we just treated for a toe infection (not Bumblefoot, but vet didn't know what may have caused it - treated with sub Q antibiotics, not fully healed). That hen is completely healthy other than her toe. The rest of our flock is healthy!

Positives:
  • comb looks normal
  • no signs it's respiratory
  • no signs of injury
  • eyes are clear/alert/pupils dilate
I know these symptoms could any one of a hundred things, including the dreaded Marek's disease, but just thought I'd start a thread in case her conditions change and someone has helpful knowledge/experience. Prayers for little bird!
 
Some things to try. Put sugar in her water. This could be low glucose.

Give vitamin B complex. This could be a deficiency which can cause leg weakness.

Give vitamin E 400iu capsules. This could be low E which can cause balance issues. Give with egg for better absorption.
 
Some things to try. Put sugar in her water. This could be low glucose.

Give vitamin B complex. This could be a deficiency which can cause leg weakness.

Give vitamin E 400iu capsules. This could be low E which can cause balance issues. Give with egg for better absorption.
Simple enough. Will try these. Thanks for ideas!!
 
First pic (stool on bedding) is from the isolated chicken. It’s greener than in the pic. This is semi-solid. She’s also having green/clear diarrhea. Second pic (stool on dirt) was found in our run today. Somewhat solid, small, very green.

I started administered Corid throughout the clock yesterday as a precaution in case it’s coccidiosis.

Thoughts?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0979.jpeg
    IMG_0979.jpeg
    318.9 KB · Views: 2
  • IMG_0983.jpeg
    IMG_0983.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 2

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom