BLACK SPOTS ON CROWN

[TitiBebbs]

We are now down to 9 chickens (11 roos in the freezer). We kept 3 roos because . . . Well, I guess I'm just crazy. The one I defended attacked ds and my father afterward hee hee. I notice some black spots on his crown. I can't really get too close because he's a little scary. I see a little bit of this on one of the other roosters who roosts near him and on one of the girls n=but neither are nearly like his. It's not like the whole thing is black but just, as I said spots that don't look quite right. Does anyone have an idea what might cause this? I'd appreciate any ideas.

Thank you,

Beth

 

[Rosalind]

What kind of black spots? Are they crusty, oozing?

Does it get very cold where you live, like well below freezing? If so, how well-insulated is your coop? On the tips of his comb, could be frostbite.

He might be fighting with the other roo and the girls. My head roo got a bunch of scabby spots on his comb from fighting the girls, who were sick of being mated all the time.

Try to catch him at night when he is roosting, he should be easier to handle then. Wear work gloves if you think he will try to spur you. See if the spots wash off with water.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

If it hasnt been cold enough for frostbite it may very well be avian pox.(spread by mosquitos) The DW researched and found no cure. We had a oegb roo and a buff pullett come down with that. Makes them ill for a few days, and makes the combs and areas around the eyes get black spots and crusty spots, but clears up in a couple of weeks. (our experience) there may be more knowledgeable folk here that can give more info.

Randy

 

[patandchickens]

Could the dark spots be flecks of dried blood, from pecking at other chickens or from being pecked at himself by the others?

Pat

 

[Kristina]

I agree with Randy..but it could be several things. Where the spots a grayish color first? Do you see grayish spots on any others? Fowl Pox starts out as a gray spot and then turns black and forms a crust. I had three come down with it and Iput them in quarantine. We live in a heavy mosquitoe area. Like Randy said not really much treatment for it but I did give a dose of teramycin to mine for good measure. (note* i do not normally medicate my chickens) I would just keep an eye out for it on others.

 

[xitaa]

Nope, it sounds like black comb disease to me. We just lost a beautiful little banty rooster to it. Then our big golden Lakenvaulker rooster started showing black spots on his comb. I took him straight to the vet who put him on tetracyline for 7 days. At first,, I did not think he was going to survive, put with tube feedings of tetracycline, he pulled through.

 

[speckledhen]

Think of the most common thing first. All of my roosters have dried blood spots on their combs where they get pinched, pecked, etc by the others through the fence. My hens do as well. Determine that it is NOT the most logical and common thing first before you jump to the conclusion that it's a disease and use unnecessary medications.

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
I second this.

If you can get a pic up, we can help determine if further action is necessary.