Black spots turning to bumpy white spots on hens comb?

[awarmrainyday]

I have several stray chickens and ducks that I have rescued and rehabilitated, they all arrive malnourished with lice and a respiratory infection. The latest hen I found hunched up under the shed during a rain storm. She had the usual congestion, lice and so on and she looked really dirty (she's white with a few black feathers here and there). I put her in a separate area in the room with two other recuperating hens I found and started her on Nutri-Drench and Tylan-50. She also had some ivermectin topically.

She had tiny black spots on her comb and wattles that I thought was just dirt because where she wandered in from is a very filthy place. I put triple antibiotic ointment on her like I do the rest to pretty up her comb and maybe get some of the dirt off. Nothing. Last night, which was day four of her being with me, I rubbed VetRx on her comb and wattles and some of the black stuff was coming off. I noticed this morning though that where the black had come off there are whitish bump like areas now. Is this fowl pox? If it is would it be early or late stage? Her skin is yellowish, like jaundice, but she is eating and drinking like a champ. Her breathing and mucous issues have gotten significantly better in the last two days too. I have been putting probiotics in her water, should I switch it up with electrolytes too since the Tylan seems to be giving her diarrhea (or it's just that she's drinking A LOT).

I'm just worried that if she does have fowlpox that she may be in too close proximity to other hens that are getting ready to leave the "rehab room" otherwise known as my den. I'm saving up to build a big coop and run for the chickens and muscovies and I think I need to seriously consider a rehabilitation shed...

 

[Eggcessive]

Unless it is very warm and tropical where you live right now with mosquitoes out, then the black spots are probably pecks marks of dried blood. When they start to heal they may appear light colored. It is nice of you to help these sick animals, but please realize that chickens with respiratory diseases are carriers for life. They can continue to spread those diseases to other birds they come in contact with even if they do not show symptoms. Probiotics should help with diarrhea brought on by the antibiotics.

 

[awarmrainyday]

Well that is a relief to hear. Im in PA and it was snowing yesterday so hopefully it is just dirt or dried blood and the whitish spots is just her healing.

Every single one of my chickens came from a neighbor livestock dealer who abandons the sicks ones. I cant bear to watch them stand on my front porch and die (its almost like I have a sign out welcoming them). I know they are contagious and thats why they will never leave me. They have all so far turned out to be very affectionate birds who are excellent layers. The sad thing is all of his throw away birds that are now mine look better than the ones he considers to be healthy.

 

[Eggcessive]

Reporting a neighbor to the authorities can be a little dangerous in some areas, but is there an animal control or health department where you can report his dumping of sick animals. It is kind of you to help these birds.

 

[awarmrainyday]

I have reported him four separate times and even spoken to the township about the biohazard issues and nothing has been done. So at this point I just help the ones that come my way and am pretty much waiting for karma or age to catch up to the old b@st@rd.

Anyway, this is what she looked like this morning. Shes still a bit congested and has terrible watery diarrhea but she is eating and drinking a lot, has probiotics in her water and is much more active now.