Could this be fowl pox? Pics posted

[kuntrygirl]

I went out to close the chicken coops and houses and I noticed that one of my hens had some black scabs on her comb, face and around her mouth. I took pics of her. I then logged on to BYC to do some research. The research indicated that this could possibly be fowl pox. I posted pictures to get your thoughts. Is this fowl pox?

Thanks for any help.

 

[3goodeggs]

Yep. Avian pox. Mine had it last month. Some had it heavily some hardly at all. I read that once they have it, They won't get it again.
A couple had them on their eyes, and I separated them for their own protection.

 

[Judy]

I think so. Mine had it last year and I recall the lesions being flat and dry looking.

It was no big deal to them, and in 3 weeks the black spots just suddenly disappeared. Well, most of them. One hen had an lot of places all ever her head and developed a secondary infection.

I did put some betadine or neosporin (the latter for spots closest to the eye) on them, once. I don't really think they even needed that, except for the one hen. And now they're immune.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
What causes it? How long did yours have it? What else did you do besides separating them? I have read that there is no medication to give and that it has to "run it's course". Did your egg production decrease because of it? I have over 100 chickes and I'm scared to death that all of them will get it. Is there anything that I can do to help them? Or is it a waiting game?

 

[welasharon]

Mosquitos carry it from what I understand. There have been a few here in FL lately. There is a vaccine but don't know how soon you have to give it. Just let mine run its course and kept checking on them. You can put the antibiotic ointment on if you want. You just don't want them to get a secondary infection. I didn't separate mine. I kinda looked at it like chicken pox with kids...the sooner they get exposed to it the sooner they will build immunity. I figure if it is spread by mosquitos, in FLorida, it is just a matter of time.
sharon

 

[3goodeggs]

From what I understand, it is spread by mosquitoes. I do not think separating them would help.
I took the one with the pox on their eye lids out because I was afraid that they would not get the food or water they needed, or they would not be able to see well enough to avoid the bully girls.

If the other hens eat a scab, they will get it, but I am in Florida and I think it is just a matter of time before every chicken get bit, The coop has screens, but...you know.
The ones that had it the worst seemed run down and tired, another reason I separated them, so they could just rest up a bit.

They are not that worse for wear now. They look rather good...except now something else is going on. some have swelling around their eyes. I am waiting for my post to get answered.

watch the one next to he mouth. there is something called 'wet pox' as well. Do a search for pictures of it.
Good luck!

 

[welasharon]

is it possible that the swelling could be a secondary infection from the pox sores? I read where I needed to keep an eye out for that but mine did okay. Said to put neosporin on it just make sure it didnt have the pain killer in it too.
sharon

 

[Judy]

Yes, it has to run its course. It is a virus carried by mosquitos. We can't kill most viruses in people so we sure aren't going to find treatments for chickens. I don't believe my egg production dropped at all. I don't keep records but would remember if it had dropped severely.

It's really not anything to worry about, kind of like chicken pox in kids, they get it, it goes away, then they won't get it again.

Watch for secondary infection -- you would see swelling, maybe pus, and redness. The one I had that got this was being pecked by the others so I had to serparate her for a couple of days, and I smeared some more Neosporin on her.

Ah, the pain killer myth again. Neosporin with pain killer will not hurt chickens. What will hurt them is any ointment or cream with a "caine" drug in it. These drugs are fairly common and have names like cetacaine, benzocaine, novacaine, etc. -- they always end in "caine." The pain killer in Neosporin is from a completely different drug group and is safe for them.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Thanks for all of the information. I noticed that one of my turkeys has been chasing and fighting with this particular chicken. I wonder if the turkey knows that this chicken is "sick" and is running my poor chicken away from everyone else. The chicken takes out running when she sees the turkey coming. I have noticed this for a couple of days but did not know the chicken had the pox until last night when I took a good look at her. When the turkey gets close to the chicken, the turkey gets in to character and does a Karate Kid/Ninja/Matrix/3D/Karate Kick at the chicken and the chicken runs for dear life. My poor girl.