Fowl Pox

[ChickWin]

Hi, I believe that our Rooster has Fowl Pox. We have planned to vaccinate our 10 weeks old chicks this weekend. After reading different posts, some older I'm still debating if I should vaccinate my 19 weeks old (not laying yet) and my grown hen. I would hate to loose more of my girls to the fowl pox.

We will take care of the rooster. Trying to prevent the spread (if it's not too late).

Some post tell you to vaccinate the entire flock as prevention or reduce the effect of it, some post say do not vaccinate 4 weeks before hen start laying (my young one are really close). Really confusing.

Our girls are free range, they have about 2 acres. Except for the chicks, too young to be with the others yet.

All (chicks and young) are vaccinated for Marek, my older hens (over 1 year) are not.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see peck wounds. If those spots worsen and get bigger than maybe it's pox. Doesn't look like it to me.

 

[DobieLover]

I see peck wounds. If those spots worsen and get bigger than maybe it's pox. Doesn't look like it to me.

x2

 

[Eggcessive]

I do see pale spots on tthe wattles and elsewhere that look like the start of pox scabs. It can be hard to tell peck marks from pox at times. There is no treatment for fowl pox, but just supportive care. The others may be vaccinated as long as they have no lesions or scabs. The reason the vaccine is given 4 weeks before laying, is that there would be some traces of vaccine in their eggs. You could call the company where you buy the vaccine about how long to toss their eggs, or just wait 4 weeks to use them. Or you could just not vaccinate, but separate the ones with scabs. Pox goes through a flock slowly, but the good thing is that next year and after, the ones that get it should be immune to it.

 

[Eggcessive]

I am seeing the pale beige spots of pox that most likely will become darker scabs soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

This shows the light scabs as they are going from papule to pustule stage. There is no need to put the rooster down, but that is up to you.

 

[ChickWin]

I do see pale spots on tthe wattles and elsewhere that look like the start of pox scabs. It can be hard to tell peck marks from pox at times. There is no treatment for fowl pox, but just supportive care. The others may be vaccinated as long as they have no lesions or scabs. The reason the vaccine is given 4 weeks before laying, is that there would be some traces of vaccine in their eggs. You could call the company where you buy the vaccine about how long to toss their eggs, or just wait 4 weeks to use them. Or you could just not vaccinate, but separate the ones with scabs. Pox goes through a flock slowly, but the good thing is that next year and after, the ones that get it should be immune to it.

I think that you're absolutely right. The spot that were light and yellowish earlier this week are now darker. I did see one or 2 spots last week but didn't really give it a second thought until I saw all the new spots earlier this week. I started researching the net (and this forum) and it looked like pox to me as well. I appreciate your reply and I believe I will follow your advise and vaccinate the entire flock (discard eggs) as I hate the idea of it spreading. I didn't see anything on any of the girls, the coop will be deep cleaned this weekend too.

 

[ChickWin]

I see peck wounds. If those spots worsen and get bigger than maybe it's pox. Doesn't look like it to me.

He does room with 7 girls and he's sometimes mean to them, and the grown hen don't really appreciate him either. Could be but not sure.