My Injuries, Diseases, and Cures Information Library

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What is it: Favus is a chronic[1] fungal skin infection, typically presenting itself on the head of the chicken, as well as on the legs.[1] In some more severe cases it can spread to other areas of the head and may cause permanent damage to the beak and/or eyelids,[2] and can also spread to the rest of the body’s skin and around feather follicles.[1] It IS contagious, to both the rest of the flock AND yourself! However, it spreads slowly throughout the flock.[1] If you will be touching the affected areas it is recommended that you wear gloves.

Causes:

• Most likely to affect young birds with well developed wattles[1]
• Introduction of affected bird into flock[3]
• Living in damp and humid locations and regions[2]
• Direct or indirect contact with other infected birds, animals and insects, soil, or objects.[2]

Symptoms:

• Beginning, mild cases
  • White, powdery looking spots with wrinkled scabs on the comb.[1]
  • Lesions on non-feathered regions (e.g. comb and wattle, and legs)[1]
• Progressive, more severe cases
  • Feathers falling out in patches[1]
  • Thick and crusty skin developed around feather follicles[1]
  • Depressions around follicles, called “favus cups”[1]
  • Thick, crusty, scaly skin[2]
  • White plaques on comb, face, earlobes, and wattles.[1]

Prognosis: Most cases do not get severe, so the prognosis is very good.

Treatment: While there are effective treatments, normal mild infections tend to go away on their own after 10 weeks.[1]

• Supplies
  • Topical Antifungal (Blu-Kote, Athlete’s foot creams, Miconazole, miconazole nitrate 2%, etc)
  • Medical gloves
• Steps
  1. Remove crusts
  2. Apply topical antifungal, following instructions for frequency of application until Favus is gone.
• Sources
  • Farm Health Online – Animal Health and Welfare Knowledge Hub – Favus
  • Favus (Ringworm) in Chickens (poultrydvm.com)
  • Favus Question | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens

Prevention:

• Quarantine new birds[2]
• Separate affected birds

Sources:

1. Farm Health Online – Animal Health and Welfare Knowledge Hub – Favus
2. Favus (Ringworm) in Chickens (poultrydvm.com)
3. Fungal/Mycotic Diseases of Poultry-diagnosis, Treatment and Control: A Review (scialert.net)