Black spots on combs

[reitzm98]

We have two roosters. Last night my husband thought one was on his death bed. He was just laying in the outside coop. But breathing. But it was 11:30 and too dark to do anything. This morning he's still alive but doesn't act right. Sometimes he just lays. Sometimes he flails around in circles. Other times seems fine. We kenneled him in a dog kennel in the outside coop. Not sure if the bigger rooster gave him a beating. Then I noticed he has these black spots on his comb. The other rooster and one of the hens has a few, but not that many. The other three hens in the coop do not. What do you think could be going on?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. When I enlarged the pic, it looks like peck marks probably from the two roosters fighting. Fowl pox from mosquitoes sometimes resembles peck marks, but usually they are more tan to brown than black. Separate the two rooster in a pen to himself or they may kill each other. Three hens need only one rooster with them, and they could use more hens in the ratio. He may be hurt or in shock. His wounds will probably heal on their own, but if you catch him asleep or on the roost after dark, you can apply some Neosporin Ointment, Vetericyn, or iodine. Put some vitamins in his water and feed him a little egg, tuna, or sunflower seed for selenium in case he has wry neck or neurological symptoms. Sorry about your rooster.

 

[reitzm98]

Thank you! I had intended to get rid of both roosters but plans fell through for that. If I can get a better picture I will post it. But I thought the same thing, that the fowl pox spots look lighter than these. This is only our 3rd year with chickens. And our first with roosters. And these spots.

 

[Eggcessive]

Peck wounds

Fowl pox lesions