Black on head and comb - 2mo old chicks

[Ryanelrich]

My chick has had these black spots for a couple of weeks now. Seems to be behaving normal with the other chicks. No changes have been made to the flock.

 

[azygous]

What is your location? That would provide an important clue.

If you have mosquitoes, this could be a case of dry form of fowl pox. Try painting Blu-kote on the comb with a Q-tip. It's contagious, so watch for others to have this, too. No cure. It has to run its course.

 

[Ryanelrich]

What is your location? That would provide an important clue.

If you have mosquitoes, this could be a case of dry form of fowl pox. Try painting Blu-kote on the comb with a Q-tip. It's contagious, so watch for others to have this, too. No cure. It has to run its course.

Located in Ohio. We do have mosquitos, I will try the Blu-Kote. Thank you.

 

[Ryanelrich]

Me again, the same chicken seen in the original photos after treating with Blu Kote still has the black growth on the non feathered areas and spreading. Also noticed this evening that there is crust in the ears. Please advise! I have been adding electrolytes to the water. Still seems to be eating and acting normal, I don’t want to wait until it’s too late and have to put my flock down if something more serious is going on. Other chickens in the flock had and still have small black spots growing but nothing like this specific chicken.

 

[azygous]

the crust in the ears may not be related, but it would be treated the same either way. I use a toothpick with the sharp tip sanded down or broken off. Use it the pull the crust out of the ears, then put a drop of mineral oil in the ears and clean some more. Then stuff some antibiotic wound ointment in the ears.

 

[Ryanelrich]

the crust in the ears may not be related, but it would be treated the same either way. I use a toothpick with the sharp tip sanded down or broken off. Use it the pull the crust out of the ears, then put a drop of mineral oil in the ears and clean some more. Then stuff some antibiotic wound ointment in the ears.

Thank you. I will continue on with the Blu Kote for the black areas and do as you suggested for the ears.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Me again, the same chicken seen in the original photos after treating with Blu Kote still has the black growth on the non feathered areas and spreading. Also noticed this evening that there is crust in the ears.

Please post some current photos of the ears and of the chick too.

The black coloring on the comb is just natural coloring. Maybe a bit of mulberry coloring mixed in. That color can "spread" as they mature or it may fade. I wouldn't be surprised to see some stipples of color on the earlobes and wattles as she gets older. Blue Kote is not going to "heal" the comb since there's nothing wrong with it to begin with.

Crust in the ears, I'd like to see that though.

 

[Ryanelrich]

Please post some current photos of the ears and of the chick too.

The black coloring on the comb is just natural coloring. Maybe a bit of mulberry coloring mixed in. That color can "spread" as they mature or it may fade. I wouldn't be surprised to see some stipples of color on the earlobes and wattles as she gets older. Blue Kote is not going to "heal" the comb since there's nothing wrong with it to begin with.

Crust in the ears, I'd like to see that though.

View attachment 3152960

Here are some additional photos of this same chicken as well as some of my others that are a different breed and begin to show small signs of the black spotted comb/wattles.
I tried to get a good photos of the crust in her ear. This chicken is also shaking its head as if maybe the ear is irritating?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What do you feed including treats?

Have you looked them over for lice and mites, especially around the ears? I do agree, I'd clean out the ears if there's crust in them.
Have you ever had respiratory illness in any of your flocks?

I don't see anything wrong with the combs. Just different breeds. Sometimes with mixes you can have color bleed through on combs. No big deal unless you are wanting to breed to a specific standard, but then you would be sourcing known quality heritage or show birds to move forward with that.

 

[Ryanelrich]

What do you feed including treats?

Have you looked them over for lice and mites, especially around the ears? I do agree, I'd clean out the ears if there's crust in them.
Have you ever had respiratory illness in any of your flocks?

I don't see anything wrong with the combs. Just different breeds. Sometimes with mixes you can have color bleed through on combs. No big deal unless you are wanting to breed to a specific standard, but then you would be sourcing known quality heritage or show birds to move forward with that.

I have been feeding them the TSC brand hatch to hen feed with diatomaceous earth mixed in. I also sprinkle it in their coop shavings as a precautionary measure. I give them electrolytes in their water. I have not seen any evidence of mites or lice. This is my first flock.
I usually only give watermelon on hot days. They had a small piece of a banana once.

I think I have caught one or more of them sneeze a few times. I’ve sat out there for 1-2 hours in a row just watching them and it doesn’t seem consistent so I’m not sure if that’s even what it was. Those are the only possible things I have seen them do that would raise suspicion.