Fowl Pox

[Elgazar]

Hi, not sure if you remember me but I got on here about a month ago with my 9 chicks that got Fowl Fox. Thank God they all healed. They are all still in quarantine in my garage away from the rest of the flock. They have been free of all eye issues and black scabs on face and beak for over a week. When can I put them with the flock. My issue is that we have newborn chicks there that are 1 week old and also 5 week chicks. Would love the help. Want to put them with everyone because I feel really bad for them being in a cage in the garage. Thank you for the help.

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Hi! I think as long as they do not have lesions, they won't pass it on. Mosquitoes feed on chickens and transmit it by feeding on open pox lesions.

Please correct me if I'm wrong!

I'm glad your babies all recovered! Another option is to vaccinate the new chicks at 6 weeks and then put everyone together after that. (and then booster everyone 4 weeks before point of lay)

 

[Elgazar]

Hi! I think as long as they do not have lesions, they won't pass it on. Mosquitoes feed on chickens and transmit it by feeding on open pox lesions.

Please correct me if I'm wrong!

I'm glad your babies all recovered! Another option is to vaccinate the new chicks at 6 weeks and then put everyone together after that. (and then booster everyone 4 weeks before point of lay)

Vaccinate them? Which ones? How do I give a booster before they start laying? Sorry so new to this. What age they start laying?

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Vaccinate them? Which ones? How do I give a booster before they start laying? Sorry so new to this. What age they start laying?

Ah, sorry, here, check this post I responded to: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/questions-about-the-fowl-pox-vaccine.1406701/

Vaccinate the ones that don't have fowl pox, I believe they can be vaccinated at 6 weeks. But they would need a booster about 4 weeks before point of lay, and then once a year after that. It depends on what breeds they are as for when they start laying, but I'd say around 5 months old? The vaccine should tell you about when to vaccinate. I bought vaccine on valleyvet: https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=FCB66D44-434E-4806-9038-6E09BEFC176F

A lot of people on this message board don't bother with vaccination and let the virus run its course, but I'm more of the "better safe than sorry" opinion. You've gone through it with your chicks though, so you should be able to judge better what's best for you and your flock! Hopefully you had dry pox rather than wet in your flock.

From the college ag websites I read, it's transmitted by mosquito. But I have read other websites by backyard chicken owners that say it can also be transferred in chicken dander and fluids. I'm not sure which is true, but err on the side of caution. If your chickens are still showing any symptoms, I'd keep them separate. If not, I think it may just be a judgement call.

 

[Elgazar]

You are really sweet. Thank you. Can I give the vaccination myself?

 

[Eggcessive]

Fowl pox also can be passed by dropped scabs of other chickens that become powdery and vaporized, and then inhaled by other chickens. Here is the manufacturer’s instructions for giving fowl pox vaccine to chickens 8 weeks and older:
https://valleyvet.cvpservice.com/product/view/basic/1506010

 

[Elgazar]

So I have to keep them apart until the small ones are 8 weeks old?

 

[Eggcessive]

The vaccine would be given at 8 weeks, but it would take a little time after that to achieve immunity. You might check with the manufacturer about how long that is. Many vaccines take a couple of weeks to achieve immunity. Thise include a human flu vaccine and a Mareks vaccine for chickens.