There's a special kind of worry that comes when a feathered friend starts acting off, and Sally's situation hits that note perfectly. A head tilt that has always been there, now suddenly extreme. Squinting eyes. Wings that just aren't doing their job. Yet she still waddles over for a snuggle. That mix of affection and dysfunction is heartbreaking, and it's also a puzzle that needs solving fast.
Let's be honest, this isn't a mystery you want to let sit. A chronic slight tilt that worsens over a day or two screams "something changed," and in chicken world, neurological or inner-ear issues are the usual suspects. The fact that Sally still seeks human contact is a good sign; it means she's not shutting down. But the vision trouble and wing disuse are red flags. We'd tell any reader who brought us this story the same thing: separate Sally from the flock tonight. Put her in a quiet, padded hospital crate with low-sided food and water dishes she can find by touch. You want to rule out head trauma, a vitamin deficiency (especially B1 or E), or a bacterial infection like *Mycoplasma gallisepticum* that can cause sinus swelling and balance problems.
The practical step is a vet visit, ideally one who sees poultry. Not every chicken keeper has that option, we know. If you're in a rural area, call your extension office or a local farm supply store, they often know who does avian consults or can recommend a treatment protocol over the phone. In the meantime, offer her a scrambled egg or some mealworms to keep her eating. Hydration is critical, especially if she's missing the water dish because of the vision issue. A drop of vitamin E oil on a treat can help if the cause is nutritional, but it's not a cure-all.
Sally's story reminds us that chickens are masters at hiding illness until they can't. The fact that you noticed the change and are asking for help already puts her ahead of the game. Don't second-guess yourself. A hen who loves being held but can't see or flap is telling you she needs intervention now. Your job is to be the detective who follows the clues, not the one who waits to see if they disappear on their own. That crate, that phone call, that vitamin drop: those are the concrete moves that turn worry into action.