black spots on wattles and comb?

[just a few chicks]

Hi,

I am new to this list! I have learned so much just from reading the great post everyone sends!
But I have a question that I can't find the answer to.

My kids are doing 4-H projects. We have a few frizzle cochins and cochins. They are looking pretty healthy.
But they have tiny little black spots on their combs and wattles.
Could they be bug bites?? Is there something I should do?

If I can figure out how I will try to send a pic

Thanks!!

 

[roosters97]

hope somone helps Ya!

 

[bugladyleah]

Sounds like fowl pox...not big deal. It'll go away

This is from Mississippi State University:


"Fowl pox can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. The virus is highly resistant in dried scabs and under certain conditions may survive for months on contaminated premises. The disease may be transmitted by a number of species of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can harbor ineffective virus for a month or more after feeding on affected birds. After the infection is introduced, it spreads within the flock by mosquitoes as well as direct and indirect contact. Recovered birds do not remain carriers.

Since fowl pox usually spreads slowly, a flock may be affected for several months. The course of the disease in the individual bird takes three to five weeks. Affected young birds are retarded in growth. Laying birds experience a drop in egg production. Birds of all ages that have oral or respiratory system involvement have difficulty eating and breathing. The disease manifests itself in one or two ways, cutaneous pox (dry form) or diphtheritic pox (wet form).

Dry pox starts as small whitish foci that develop into wart-like nodules. The nodules eventually are sloughed and scab formation precedes final healing. Lesions are most commonly seen on the featherless parts of the body (comb, wattles, ear lobes, eyes, and sometimes the feet).

Wet pox is associated with the oral cavity and the upper respiratory tract, particularly the larynx and trachea. The lesions are diphtheritic in character and involve the mucous membranes to such a degree that when removed, an ulcerated or eroded area is left.

Fowl pox is readily diagnosed on the basis of flock history and presence of typical lesions. In some cases, laboratory diagnosis by tissue or transmission studies is necessary.

There is no treatment for fowl pox. Disease control is accomplished best by preventative vaccination since ordinary management and sanitation practices will not prevent it. Several kinds of vaccines are available and are effective if used properly.

Vaccination of broilers is not usually required unless the mosquito population is high or infections have occurred previously. The chicks may be vaccinated as young as one day of age by using the wing-web method and using a one needle applicator. All replacement chickens are vaccinated against fowl pox when the birds are six to ten weeks of age. One application of fowl pox vaccine results in permanent immunity."

Good luck...Leah

 

[just a few chicks]

Thank you!
So does this mean they shouldn't go to fair??
It is Aug 18th. I live in Ohio so the mosquitoe thing sure sounds right! it is terrible here!
They are bantams so the company I got them from would not vaccinate day old chicks if they are bantams.
I will go to the feed store today and see what I can do!
thanks again!