Help! Scabs all over chicken

[plaidapus]

She might have been fighting to get higher. Try checking the other birds and seeing if they have any blood on them. I would let her visit with the other chickens when she seems better. Through wire, so she won't get attacked. But as long as she's not at the bottom of the pecking order you don't want her to go down the list.

Thank you. I'm thinking now this may have been a really possibility and the impacted crop could be incidental (or because she was so beat up).

I feel terrible, but I'd much rather deal with this than some disease.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is vaccinated for Merek's, though I know my flock carries it as I lost 3 chickens earlier (all vaccinated).

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Thank you for the photos. Since the scabs are so widespread, I don't think it's from fighting.
You mention in your first post that you have Marek's in your flock. Even birds that are vaccinated can have infection from the virus. The vaccine can help stop the formation of tumors (on the organs).
I would lean more toward this being Marek's or possibly skin cancer, but there's really no way to know for sure unless you have tissue samples tested.

You may want to try putting something like Blu Kote on the scabs to see if that helps dry them up.


https://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502#/disease/Marek's_Disease

 

[plaidapus]

Thank you,

That's my biggest fear: I lost 4 vaccinated hens to Marek's after a weak vaccine batch and it was brutal. They all had very different symptoms, so I know they can really vary (though none had sores or scabs in my case).

I will try that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you,

That's my biggest fear: I lost 4 vaccinated hens to Marek's after a weak vaccine batch and it was brutal. They all had very different symptoms, so I know they can really vary (though none had sores or scabs in my case).

I will try that.

I'm sorry that you lost some to Marek's. Did you have that diagnosed at your state lab?

I don't know if there's anything that will absolutely help, but it's worth a try to see if the scabs might dry up a little.
That's my understanding with Marek's is that symptoms can be all over the place and it's so frustrating.
I forgot about her swollen wattle. I would keep watch on that too. Not sure if an antibiotic would be beneficial or not for that but something you may want to consider if it gets worse.

Please keep us posted on how she gets along.

 

[plaidapus]

Yes! I sent all of them to the California lab at UC Davis for an autopsy and it was such a relief to have an answer each time.

Thank you. Treating the scabs and they already look better than yesterday. Still having terrible diarrhea but treating the crop and hopefully that keeps improving.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes! I sent all of them to the California lab at UC Davis for an autopsy and it was such a relief to have an answer each time.

Thank you. Treating the scabs and they already look better than yesterday. Still having terrible diarrhea but treating the crop and hopefully that keeps improving.

Not sure if you need more help with her crop, if you do, let us know.
You may find this article helpful. I have used this many times.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[plaidapus]

Update:

Wounds are healing well, but slowly.

The digestive situation still has me extremely concerned.

The first couple of days her crop was rock-hard and I had to administer either coconut oil or mineral oil and massage to break it up. She's had green diarrhea and I've fed her a little bread soaked in olive oil and scrambled egg, plus administered some poultry nutrients orally via syringe.

Last night, her diarrhea was yellow, which I thought might be an improvement. Her crop v was empty at bed and she had no food overnight, but it was full again somehow in the morning??? I massaged it and it broke up and drained without oil to aid it, but she hasn't been interested in food and her diarrhea overnight was extremely watery.

I'm very confused about her crop and worried that she can't seem to digest anything. I'm trying to get some antibiotics as well (she has an infected but improving ear lobe/wattle).

Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update:

Wounds are healing well, but slowly.

The digestive situation still has me extremely concerned.

The first couple of days her crop was rock-hard and I had to administer either coconut oil or mineral oil and massage to break it up. She's had green diarrhea and I've fed her a little bread soaked in olive oil and scrambled egg, plus administered some poultry nutrients orally via syringe.

Last night, her diarrhea was yellow, which I thought might be an improvement. Her crop v was empty at bed and she had no food overnight, but it was full again somehow in the morning??? I massaged it and it broke up and drained without oil to aid it, but she hasn't been interested in food and her diarrhea overnight was extremely watery.

I'm very confused about her crop and worried that she can't seem to digest anything. I'm trying to get some antibiotics as well (she has an infected but improving ear lobe/wattle).

Appreciate any thoughts.

Can you get some photos of the poop?

Have you ever wormed her?
No lesions or white/pasty material inside the beak?

She may have a blockage somewhere too, hard to know.
When the crop seemed to fill back up overnight - did it feel fluid filled or like air?

Personally, if it's filling back up, then I would treat as Sour Crop, see if it improves with that.
I would also be tempted to give 1 stool softener (in addition to treating for Sour Crop) this may help if there's a partial blockage.
You can give oil if you wish, but again, personally I would not give it on bread. For me bread seems to bog it down more. I like to give coconut oil (1tsp) twice a day. I refrigerate or freeze the oil to harden it, break it up into bite size chunks and let the hen eat it on her own. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Glad the scabs are starting to heal. What antibiotics are you trying to find for the infected earlobe and wattle?

 

[plaidapus]

Closed:

My hen eventually passed after 15 days, despite best efforts.

After a necropsy, it turned out she did have Marek's Disease, which will make our 5th Marek's loss of our ten total chickens, despite all being vaccinated. Extremely heartbreaking and frustrating.

Thanks all.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Closed:

My hen eventually passed after 15 days, despite best efforts.

After a necropsy, it turned out she did have Marek's Disease, which will make our 5th Marek's loss of our ten total chickens, despite all being vaccinated. Extremely heartbreaking and frustrating.

Thanks all.

I'm sorry about your hen
Sad to hear about the diagnosis. Thank you for the update.