Black spots on combs, iodine as remedy?

[Chickroo]

Has anyone had experience with their hens getting black sots on their combs? What could this be a sign of, anything dangerous? I have heard that iodine can be used, but I do not have enough information about this. If anyone can offer advise, that would be appreciated!

 

[JHorn91180]

Do u have a pic and r u sure they r not scabs from fighting?

 

[Judy]

Dry fowl pox and pecking injury are the usual causes, at least this time of year when it wouldn't be frostbite. Fowl pox is a virus carried by mosquitoes. It will suddenly go away on its own in about 3 weeks, and the chicken will then be immune for life. It doesn't cause them any trouble unless the lesions get a secondary bacterial infection, or unless they form in the mouth or throat, which is then called wet fowl pox and is unusual but much more serious.

The only reason to treat the lesions at all is to prevent secondary infection. You could dab them with a bit of dilute Betadine, or use an ointment like Neosporin (particularly near the eyes, as it will not irritate the eyes.)

 

[24279102]

I read on here somewhere to use black shoepolish on them. I dabbed it on with a q-tip and it did the trick. Probably did nothing to accelerate the healing but it made me feel better !!

 

[Chickroo]

Thanks everyone! I have begun to dab iodine on her comb 1x a day. Nothing is crusty or has scabs, just smooth black spots, and small patches. It could be bruising from being pecked, but I'll do the iodine just in case.

 

[Fox]

Thanks everyone! I have begun to dab iodine on her comb 1x a day. Nothing is crusty or has scabs, just smooth black spots, and small patches. It could be bruising from being pecked, but I'll do the iodine just in case.

If it is Dry Pox, then the iodine helps to dry out the sores (which is a good thing). You can find my post here https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/newestpost/709981 although it mostly shows the sores before they were more dry and black... and the ones shown were bad cases. My regular laying hens just got the black dots and all, but no further issues. It's just a couple of Silkies and a Cochin struggling right now.