All you can tell me about Avian Pox

[clucktastic]

Hey guys! First of all, thanks to everyone here for all the great info I've gleaned thus far... (and without even so much as a post, until now!) This website, and the forum specifically, has really been a godsend in raising my first flock. That said, I'm experiencing my first real problem. I have a smallish(?) flock of 24 layers and 2 roos. I've been doing well all year long, and everyone has been coming along marvelously, but I now have avian pox to deal with. My older roo is hit the worst, it's not in his mouth yet (that I can tell) but his comb looks a mess. I was looking for any info as to causes, remedies, possibly something I'm doing wrong...etc? I have read that it will clear up, but that in some cases it stays in the ground? I do the deep litter method, have more than enough space for them, have them pastured, feed them all kinds of goodies from the garden as well as laying mash, cracked corn (as a treat) scratch grains and oyster shell... the hens don't look nearly as bad, maybe a speck apiece on them, and the other roo looks fine... I'm just frustrated and want them to be healthy. Thanks in advance.

anthony

 

[feathersnuggles]

I've read mosquitoes carry it. My birds haven't had it; I just know what I've read & picked up from this forum. That said, you should remove all standing water, disinfect everything (feeders, waterers, etc). And swab any infected sores with iodine. I'd also give the birds a nutritional boost in the form of extra protein and add some vitamins to their water, to boost their immune systems.

Hope someone else who knows about this disease chimes in.

 

[clucktastic]

thanks alot. I did another search on here... after my frantic posting, and found out about the whole story. I will be out of town tomorrow, so I'm hoping that I can make due with the iodine starting wednesday morning. Its sure gonna be a trick finding the time to swab them all.. I have to remove my roo too, as he's being picked at too much... Thanks again! next time I'll spend a little more time researching on the forum before posting. I'm sure there's nothing new under the sun as far as chickens go that someone else hasn't already dealt with and posted about.

 

[elmo]

You don't have to swab the lesions with iodine; you could just keep an eye out for secondary bacterial infections and treat if any do crop up. Separating a bird that's getting picked on is a good idea, though.

 

[ole red]

if left to run its course, how long will it show signs in a flock?

 

[elmo]

Quote:
It can vary. I've read anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks. A friend of mine said he's seen the marks on the combs last for months, and of course there can be residual scarring. But that's the course of the disease in an individual bird. Avian pox can spread slowly through the flock unless it's stopped by vaccination, so depending on the size of your flock it could take months from the time the first bird gets it to the time the last bird in the flock gets it.

 

[Lu King]

I have a relative who seems to have Avian Pox in his Roos. The hens don't seem to have it yet, they are penned up, but not the Roos. It is safe to eat the eggs of an infected hen or eat an infected bird?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

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