Weird Undiagnosed chicken!

[/img][/img][/img]I have recently started a chicken coop in my back yard with four different varieties of chickens. (A Barred Rock, Dominiqe, Orphington, and Rhode Island Red). Recently within the last seven days the rhode island red started developing very enlarged, crusty, growths around her nostrils. It also looked as if her beak was cracking or something near the growth. I called about 5 different sources from vets to chicken lovers all of which said "it could be" ...and I got different answers. Mainly the overall consensus was that it was fowlpox and to get rid of the chicken immediatly. I have pictures of what she looks like and I really want to make sure I diagnose this appropriatly without paying the 200 dollars the vet would charge. Here are the pics of the chicken. Also, she was never acting strange but she was the lowest of the "pecking order" and was often secluded from the other 3 and off to her own at some times. I just really hant to find out about this to prevent it and learn from it.

Berry

Whatever it is it is imparing her breathing. I can see from the pictures she is breathing through her mouth.

Keep her separated from the others until you know what is causing this. I've never seen this or read about anything like this before.

Go to firststatevetsupply and there is a link to "Ask Doc Brown" he is not a doctor or vet but has many, many years of chicken health knowledge. You can ask him what is going on, make sure you forward pictures, and if he can help you he will. If it is something he can help you with and you purchase the medicine needed from him there is no charge for the consultation. I know it sounds a little fishy but he is very good and others on this site can attest to that.

When/if you find out what this is please post the results so all of us on BYC can learn something and pass it on some day.

By the way....WELCOME TO BYC....were a pretty good bunch of people!!!

I just went to the firststatevetsupply site to see if I could be of more assistance in contacting the good Dr. but since I've last used it the site has changed. My guess would be to go to the left side of the page and click on the 'contact us' button and ask your question. Wish I could help more.

Well, Fowl Pox presents with little bumps on the comb, wattles, and face. I don't see any of those. If it were Fowl Pox, she would likely get through and not need to be culled.

On the other hand, problems aside from Fowl Pox that are usually diseases that the chicken will carry for life even if she gets past the symptoms. On that count, many choose to cull instead of risking spread of disease.

I don't know what's wrong with her, but i would take a look inside her mouth and see if you see anything unusual or alarming. I would also listen to her breathing and see if you notice any unusual odor coming from her beak. All of these things will help others here do a better job of leading you in the right direction.

I hope she's o.k.

Might have face mites

hummm.... strange. Try to contact your state poultry vet or State Dept of Animal & Agriculture. They have very knowledgeable people who may be able to give you an answer. I would try using a pair of tweezers and try to remove some of it from her nostrils so she can breath better. I would think it was some type of skin fungus or canker....something along those lines. Not Fowl poxs, and even if it were it is like chicken pox in people were it runs it's course and then they are immune from it.

Well I guess I should tell everyone unfortunatly I have already culled her from the rest because the overwhelming consistency of advice was to get rid of the chicken. However the more people I hear from the more I really want to figure out what that was, because it seems that multiple people who have had chickens there whole lives have never seen this before. I should also mention in the picture I have her pretty good around the neck so I beleive that is why her mouth is open, and also this coincidently was the first day these chickens laid eggs. Her first day of laying eggs was her last...I really dont want this to happen to any more of my hens so I definatly appreciate the knowledge and advice from the community. Thanks so much.

Berry

Did she have a bad smell?

She has Sinus Canker...