Can chickens get ringworm?

[IggiMom]

We have been gone for a while at our son's wedding in Cheyenne, and of course someone had to watch the animals while we were gone. The 12 year old daughter who was helping got ringworm. I saw it; it is definitely ringworm.

She thinks she got it from the chickens, who she likes to hold. I have never seen ringworm on a chicken.

We also have cats and dogs, who, I know, DO get ringworm, but ours have never had it. It would be pretty obvious if they did as they are all short haired, except for the Deerhound, who had medium hair.

I just wondered if anyone had ever heard of chickens getting ringworm? I do not see any sign of it, but it might be hard to tell on a bunch of chickens, many of whom are molting.

Catherine

 

[purpletree23]

Ring worm is a fungus....not a worm. She might have caught it from a chicken but I tend to think that was not the source. It has been very warm and humid and rainy in our area and all kinds of crazy things are growing. Ring worm is very contagious. Make sure the little girl sees a doctor to get proper diagnosis and treatment. It can very easily be caught in shower areas, swimming pool areas and any where it is warm and damp/wet. Tell her not to share towels or clothing with anyone. It is easily treated with a cream the Dr. can prescribe.

If you haven't already I would get your chickens on a worming schedule. Once in the Fall and once in the Spring is all you should need. Keeps everyone happy and healthy.


I just noticed that you are in West Virginia....My dad grew up in War.

 

[NotTheMomma]

I'm also convinced it can come from chickens. I have two places of ring worm right now, and I've never had it before! It itches like you wouldn't believe!

Also, you don't have to see a doc to get treatment. You can buy athlete's foot medication over the counter, and it will treat it.

 

[IggiMom]

Yes, that's what I thought, and told them. But I was thinking I should pick some up for them also, just in case it came from my animals.

And she said something about her Dad having athlete's foot, soooo, I think that is a possibility also.

Catherine

 

[IggiMom]

Hey, not Momma, are you feeling better? Less itchy?

The little gal with ringworm is using the athlete's foot med is getting better.

Catherine

 

[NotTheMomma]

The place on my leg is almost gone. I have one under my arm, and unfortunately because of where it is, it's taking longer to clear up.

Thanks for asking!!

Glad to hear the little one is doing much better! That itching is awful.

 

[mypicklebird]

Ringworm (dermatophyte- fungal) typically lives in the HAIR of mammals, chickens don't have the same skin structure & don't have hair- so ring worm in birds is really uncommon. There are many species of ringworm, some are more zoonotic than others. Most ringworm in people is transmitted from other people (kids at school), but can be transmitted from dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ect. Ringworm transmission is from spores- which can be transmitted by fomites (objects). In birds the ringworm appearance is similar in appearance- flaky skin, crusting ect. The only literature I have seen about birds & ringworm is parrots- and is not a bird specific ringworm- but is a mammal one. If you really want to know what it is and if it is being shared- get cultures done on the birds via your vet, and the person at the human Dr. Dogs, cats, or people are the more likely source of transmission. Lesions can be very subtle on dogs & cats or non existant, and sometimes culturing them is the only way to find it.

 

[IggiMom]

Well, that was interesting. Thanks. I had not thought about the relationship to hair rather than feathers.

Catherine