Any ideas what this could be?

[babsterh]

We just returned from a week away from our flock and one of our BOs has what looks like a few scabby areas on her head and comb. She is eating ok but I don't know if this is due to pecking or some ailment. Also, she doesn't seem to be developing as quickly as her sisters. If you have any ideas please let me know. Thank you!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

She might be getting pecked which is causing the scabs. Isolate her for a night and put some coconut oil mixed with honey on it. Give her drinks with save-a-chick probiotics.

 

[cafarmgirl]

It's hard to see in the picture what's going on. Is it possible she's got dry fowl pox lesions?

 

[babsterh]

It's hard to see in the picture what's going on. Is it possible she's got dry fowl pox lesions?

Cafarmgirl....thanks you so much, that's exactly what she has! I checked other pictures on BYC and you're spot on! no pun intended...oh my poor girl, now I have to figure out what to do. Do you have any experience with treating dry fowl pox? Does it spread?

 

[cafarmgirl]

You actually don't have to do anything about it. Dry pox is spread by mosquitos and it's pretty common in young birds. It takes a couple weeks to clear up and then they are immune. I just keep an eye on it. Some people apply a little iodine to the lesions to help them dry up faster. I just watch to make sure they don't have wet pox where they get lesions in the mouth and throat. This can get a little more complicated if it prevents them from eating and drinking. Otherwise, a normal case of dry pox will clear up just fine on it's own in a few weeks.

 

[babsterh]

You actually don't have to do anything about it. Dry pox is spread by mosquitos and it's pretty common in young birds. It takes a couple weeks to clear up and then they are immune. I just keep an eye on it. Some people apply a little iodine to the lesions to help them dry up faster. I just watch to make sure they don't have wet pox where they get lesions in the mouth and throat. This can get a little more complicated if it prevents them from eating and drinking. Otherwise, a normal case of dry pox will clear up just fine on it's own in a few weeks.

Thanks so much! We put iodine on the lesions this afternoon...call me crazy but the lesions look better when I put the girls in the coop tonight. Who knew that a chicken could get pox, lol.