Black dots

[Stacylynnlac]

I know next to nothing, but my girls had these kinds of marks a few months ago, right after we re-homed our rooster and the social order was disrupted. Things settled down and the dots disappeared without incident. Has there been some change lately with your flock that would cause a change in the pecking order?

Only that they stay in their run more now that it’s winter. I don’t have a choice though because winters can be pretty rough so they have to be enclosed away from the wind and snow. They usually have a huge fenced in area to run around in. Now they are in like a longish narrow run. There’s only 10 birds so I didn’t think they needed anything too large. They don’t usually fight with each other.

 

[sourland]

My gut instinct is to agree with those who have suggested possible pecking. I seriously doubt that mosquitoes are a problem where you live this time of year, and the lesions are not typical of fowl pox. The simple of adjustment to being confined in a pen may have led to minor pecking.

 

[TheBeardie]

I've recently delt with dry fowl pox. About half of my bantam flock had outward effects that I could see. I live in Florida so I assume it's pretty common here because of the large mosquito population.

I assumed it was a small pecking injury from one of the other roosters. When it started getting worse I realized it was fowl pox. Here are some pictures of the worst sores.

If it does start looking more like this, leave it alone, just like if it's a pecking injury. I only put some non-pain-relieving antibiotic ointment on the worst sores.

 

[dawg53]

I've recently delt with dry fowl pox. About half of my bantam flock had outward effects that I could see. I live in Florida so I assume it's pretty common here because of the large mosquito population.

I assumed it was a small pecking injury from one of the other roosters. When it started getting worse I realized it was fowl pox. Here are some pictures of the worst sores.

View attachment 1599892

View attachment 1599895

If it does start looking more like this, leave it alone, just like if it's a pecking injury. I only put some non-pain-relieving antibiotic ointment on the worst sores.

Fowl pox is a rite of passage in Florida and south Georgia.

 

[ChickNanny13]

and Hawaii I was really concerned about it this year with all the wetness we've had/having but been lucky so far. I've removed alot of foliage/plants in the Chicken House area, and do spray a fogger now & then before I open their enclosure up.

 

[TheBeardie]

Fowl pox is a rite of passage in Florida and south Georgia.

and Hawaii I was really concerned about it this year with all the wetness we've had/having but been lucky so far. I've removed alot of foliage/plants in the Chicken House area, and do spray a fogger now & then before I open their enclosure up.

I have swamp on the left, right, across the road And a pond in my back yard! An actual up to my chest pond! So many mosquitoes... At least we have all the giant spiders and bats to eat them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Only that they stay in their run more now that it’s winter. I don’t have a choice though because winters can be pretty rough so they have to be enclosed away from the wind and snow. They usually have a huge fenced in area to run around in. Now they are in like a longish narrow run. There’s only 10 birds so I didn’t think they needed anything too large. They don’t usually fight with each other.

How big of a space do they have? (sq ft of coop and run)
I agree, it looks like peck marks to me.
Peck marks appear even if they really aren't fighting, hens peck at one another over treats, food and during roosting time. It doesn't take much to make a scab.

If space is limited, try providing them with a few things to do - add straw or hay to your run, scatter in a very small amount of scratch so they have something to dig.
Evaluate your roosting space, sometimes another bar may be needed.

Mine love to have dirt raked up in large piles, this keeps them busy - but mine are not immune to having a peck mark or scabs on the combs either.

 

[EggWalrus]

I have swamp on the left, right, across the road And a pond in my back yard! An actual up to my chest pond! So many mosquitoes... At least we have all the giant spiders and bats to eat them.

Sounds like my place. I don't mind bats, but forget a spider!

 

[HeiHeisMom]

Fowl pox.
Running through South Texas bad right now.

 

[dawg53]

Sounds like my place. I don't mind bats, but forget a spider!

Agreed. I dont do spiders. I'd rather pick up a rattlesnake!