Gross comb crud

[gal_amy]

I just noticed some dark bumps on the combs of my chickens. I rubbed vegetable oil into the comb and worked them out. The combs felt hot.

What could have caused this? Do the itch? Are they contagious to humans?

My feed store guy called them scabies...What is that? for chickens? Should I look anyplace else?

Amy from WA

 

[Lothiriel]

As far as I know, the dark bumps on chickens' combs are usually from being pecked -- therefore, it's dried blood. Nothing contagious there.

 

[202roosterlane]

Hmmmm, interesting! I'm gonna go check my chicken in the am.

 

[gal_amy]

Quote:
They are on all the chickens, like some bug came in and bit them all. I have 13 chickens, surely they aren't all pecking at each other.

 

[Lothiriel]

Could you get some pictures?

Most of mine have them -- I have 12 -- and it's got to do with the pecking order.

 

[Pickaduck]

Couldn't it be fowl pox?

 

[nurse_turtle]

Research fowl pox.