Dark Spot on Crown (pics included)

[Miabearfan]

Aloha! I have a 6 1/2 month old hen. She overall she has appeared healthy and just started laying about 3 weeks ago. Just 4 days ago I noted a dark raised spot on her crown. Looks like a dark wart if I am trying to describe it. We are in warm weather and there is only one other hen that is the same age with her. I have no clue what this is, any ideas?

 

[BantamLover21]

Looks like either a pecking wound (chickens get those all the time) or the beginning of dry fowl pox. Fowl pox is a viral disease of poultry carried by mosquitoes. In its dry form, it causes lumps/scabs on the face, comb, and wattles. In its more severe, wet form, fowl pox causes lumps/lesions in the mouth and respiratory tract. If the lumps become large enough, the birds die from suffocation. Fortunately, in most cases mortality is low; the disease will run its course in 3-6 weeks. Basically the only thing you can do is treat with an antibiotic to help prevent secondary infection, and try to make the affected birds comfortable.

 

[Miabearfan]

Oh, thank you for the post! We have tons of mosquitos here, so I am thinking you are correct. The two hens don't pick at each other much at all, they get along well. Does anyone know if I can use Neosporin or other generic antibiotic ointment on her spot?

 

[BantamLover21]

Yes, you can put some Neosporin or any other antibiotic ointment on her, as long as it doesn't contain any caine/cain ingredients--those are harmful to chickens.