Fowl Pox

[georgem]

This guy did get into a scuffle with another rooster just short of a week ago, and I have heard that injuries to the comb can sometimes look like this. He hasn't been behaving differently, continues to eat, maintains a healthy posture, no lesions in the mouth or throat, nor have I observed discharge from the eyes, nostrils, mouth, etc. Swelling isn't present and the black areas do not seem to be raised or puffy.

The past few days I've been coating the comb with antibiotic ointment (the moist appearance is the result of the ointment), but I'll probably switch to iodine starting tomorrow. Based on what I've read about viral pox infections I believe there is a relatively strong possibility this bird is infected with dry fowl pox, but I may be overreacting to something that is trauma related. What do you think?

 

[easttxchick]

Oh wow is he beautiful!
I really can't tell from the pictures, but it looks a lot like dried blood-like he's been fighting.
Have you tried searching fowl pox? There may be some pics on here to compare to your bird.
Good luck and hope all is well with him.

 

[georgem]

Thanks EastTxChick, I've searched fowl pox here and several of the threads contained photo links that have been deleted. Google turned up a lot of great information but not many diagnostic photos. I'll try to get snap quality macro shots of the roo.... and I'll tell him what you said.

 

[dawg53]

I've dealt with fowl pox and by the look of your pics, your roo does not have it. Fowl pox is normally transmitted by mosquitos,it's been too cold for mosquitos. I doubt the other roo he fought with had fowl pox also. Continue putting antibiotic ointment on it to prevent infection. Keep an eye on it to ensure the other chickens dont peck at it. If they do,switch to Blu Kote,it should help in discouraging pecking/picking as well as heal the wounds. BTW- He sure is a beautiful rooster!!