Damaged comb with black spots: injury or disease?

[CorinneK]

This hen has some black spots on her comb. I've been keeping an eye on her, as she had some very small scabs (she's lowest in the pecking order) that seemed to be healing. Now suddenly it looks like this. Is this just more damage/worse scabs or is this something more concerning? She is the only one with these spots.

 

[589205]

Fowlpox disease. Try using Iodine on the sores to dry them out

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Fowlpox disease. Try using Iodine on the sores to dry them out

Doesn't look like fowl pox. @Wyorp Rock, do you agree? Just looks like she got in a fight.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 2327356View attachment 2327357This hen has some black spots on her comb. I've been keeping an eye on her, as she had some very small scabs (she's lowest in the pecking order) that seemed to be healing. Now suddenly it looks like this. Is this just more damage/worse scabs or is this something more concerning? She is the only one with these spots.

I agree, looks like scabs. Likely the others are picking on her.
Hopefully they will heal up on their own.

 

[CorinneK]

Thank you, good to know! Should I put anything on them or leave them to heal alone? Also, anything I can do to keep her from being picked on so much or is she on her own?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How much space do you have?
Sometimes having more space and adding another food and water station can help.
Perches or some obstacles in the run can give a picked on bird a place to go or avoid the more bold birds.
Life with chickens don't seem fair, but it does seem most of the time there is one that is picked on a little. But if it gets to the point where she's not eating/drinking, is beaten up all the time, etc. then intervention will be needed.

Personally, I don't mess with scabs like that. I let them heal up on their own. Applying an ointment will draw unwanted attention, IME.

 

[CorinneK]

I'd say my run is around 8 by 12ish feet or so? I've only got 5 in my flock. They also get supervised backyard time (used to be allowed out all day but they decided the neighbor's yard looked fun ). I've got a bunch of branches in there for them, I could certainly add more though. Other than the scabs she eats well, drinks and is in generally good health. If it will clear up without intervention I'm more than happy to let it.

 

[589205]

Doesn't look like fowl pox. @Wyorp Rock, do you agree? Just looks like she got in a fight.

Hopefully I'm wrong and they are right.
Best wishes.

 

[CorinneK]

Hopefully I'm wrong and they are right.
Best wishes.

I'll keep an eye on it. If it doesn't look better in a few days or starts showing up on other chickens I will start iodine treatment.