crusty crop on broody Buff

[chickensox]

Our broody hen developed something weird on her crop.
We live in Florida.
We have a lot of mosquitoes that bit her at night.
Since we have enough hens right now, i decided to take her off her nest and let her go with the rest of the flock.
Her eyes are crusted over with dark spots and her crop shrunk.
The area around her eyes is crusted over but she can still see.
Her crop is not red; it is black and pale pink.
She is walking, eating, and drinking normally.
This is Adam, the 13-year-old son of Chickensox.
thx.

 

[rjohns39]

Our broody hen developed something weird on her crop.
We live in Florida.
We have a lot of mosquitoes that bit her at night.
Since we have enough hens right now, i decided to take her off her nest and let her go with the rest of the flock.
Her eyes are crusted over with dark spots and her crop shrunk.
The area around her eyes is crusted over but she can still see.
Her crop is not red; it is black and pale pink.
She is walking, eating, and drinking normally.
This is Adam, the 13-year-old son of Chickensox.
thx.

Adam, can you post a picture?

 

[RodNTN]

X2

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Adam

I am guessing you mean her comb (the red fleshy bit on her head) not her crop which is the pouch in her lower neck/upper chest where food is stored. Broody hens combs usually go pale and wizened. A red comb indicates that a hen is healthy and fertile. When they stop laying eggs to be broody or moult the comb goes paler and often dry looking. The black spots may be blood from being bitten or if the comb itself is going black, she may be having circulation or breathing problems. Mosquito bites can cause fowl pox which causes crusty scabs/lesions usually on the face, so perhaps that is the problem. A photo of her would definitely help identify the cause.

 

[chickensox]

Adam, can you post a picture?

Yes, we can try. (this is Mom)

 

[chickensox]

Will try

 

[chickensox]

Hi, this is Adam and my mom couldn't send a photo.
I read about fowl pox and saw pics so i know that is what she had.
She is healing quickly and she can see out of both eyes now.
Some other chickens have a small form of it.
I think that the mosquitoes caused it.
Thank you for helping me figure it out.
Adam

 

[chickensox]

 

[rebrascora]

Delighted to hear we helped you figure it out and she is on the mend. Unfortunately the mosquitos will spread it to other members of the flock, so you can expect to be dealing with it for a while. Keep an eye on them for it turning to wet pox as this is more serious as it causes lesions in the mouth and throat which can be much more serious and cause problems eating and breathing.
Good luck with them

Barbara