Fowl Pox after preditor attack?

[Abbie79]

I had four hens around 8 months old. Last Wednesday night something go into the yard and attacked one, and left another plucked in several places. She is recovering fine, but I did notice what looked like fowl pox on her comb and wattle, and the red around her ears went whitish. I assumed it was injury..... Until today. Now there is a black spot on another healthy girl's comb. Could it be pox brought on after the attack when she was weakened, and is now spreading? What can I do if my unvaccinated girls do have it?

 

[HS Pye]

Do you have any pictures? It sounds like fowlpox. When my cock had it I gave him tetracycline water and put anti septic ointment on his comb, wattles and earlobes. He got better within two weeks. Hope this information helps!

HS Pye

 

[Abbie79]

Thanks HS Pye. I can get some antibiotics for the water, and the ointment.
I can get pictures tomorrow. I've also noticed the injured girl scratching her head area today..... If that's helpful?

 

[Eggcessive]

If it is fowl pox, it doesn't require antibiotics unless there are yellow lesions inside the mouth and throat.That is wet fowl pox. Dry fowl pox is a virus carried by mosquitoes, which will spred among your flock. Wet fowl pox is also the same virus, is very serious and can be fatal.

 

[HS Pye]

No problem. ; )
When she scratches, does she get any dirt or any gunk on the wounds? If so, then stop her if possible. That will lead to an infection.

HS Pye

 

[Abbie79]

I think, if it is pox, it is dry. They don't seem to be having respiratory issues.
She doesn't seem to be spreading dirt around her face, but I have noticed her dust bathing more frequently. I use a livestock safe mite, etc. repellant in thier coop and dust bat areas, so I don't think that's a problem. Could it just be wounds? Maybe the healthy girl got into the scuffle?

 

[Abbie79]

Also we are in Louisiana where mosquitos are always bad. I'm pretty worried it's pox now. If introduce any new hens, should I vaccinate them before I mix them with my girls?
How long do I wait past the normal 30 day quarantine to mix them in?

 

[HS Pye]

How old are the new hens? I would wait until your other hens are better and put the new ones in a week or two after to be on the safe side.

HS Pye

 

[PioneerPrincess]

If it is fowl pox, it doesn't require antibiotics unless there are yellow lesions inside the mouth and throat.That is wet fowl pox. Dry fowl pox is a virus carried by mosquitoes, which will spred among your flock. Wet fowl pox is also the same virus, is very serious and can be fatal.

I agree, it could be fowl pox. I'd do the antibiotic if it were wet pox. I have put Listerine on a cotton ball and swabbed the scabby parts when I've had chickens with dry pox. I * think * that it's supposed to heal/ dry it up so it won't spread. I might be wrong, so don't quote me on that. : ) I've had one hen get wet pox and it is not easy to deal with; I ended up losing her.

I think, if it is pox, it is dry. They don't seem to be having respiratory issues.
She doesn't seem to be spreading dirt around her face, but I have noticed her dust bathing more frequently. I use a livestock safe mite, etc. repellant in thier coop and dust bat areas, so I don't think that's a problem. Could it just be wounds? Maybe the healthy girl got into the scuffle?

Photos would definitely help in knowing for sure whether it's fowl pox or not. If there are just a few wounds, then it could have been a scuffle; however, if there are what looks like little scabs all over the comb, wattles, and face, then likely it is fowl pox.

Also we are in Louisiana where mosquitos are always bad. I'm pretty worried it's pox now. If introduce any new hens, should I vaccinate them before I mix them with my girls?
How long do I wait past the normal 30 day quarantine to mix them in?

It depends on how old your new hens are. When we vaccinated our birds, we could only do those that were under six months old. You might want to wait another one or two weeks after your infected birds have healed up; however, that is not to say it won't spread. Like Eggcessive said, it can be spread by mosquitos. You also might want to disinfect your coops and bowls just to get rid of any of the bad germs. Hope that helps some! : )

 

[Eggcessive]

I haven't used fowl pox vaccine, but I have been looking at it recently. I think it requires 2 times for full immunity, and is given on the wing with a 4-pronged tool. Fowl pox can last several weeks, maybe over a month. Those that have it will be immune and not spread it when recovered. Here is some info: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/avian-pox-how-to-treat-your-chickens-for-avian-pox