Help whats wrong with my Chicken? Scabs all over its head!

[Annefannie]

I noticed one of my chickens being picked on. It has black sores and bloody scabs all over its head. Its face is swollen and it can barely see out of its eye. I have a picture of it below. I separated it from the rest and put neosporin on the wounds and the swelling seems to be getting better today. It eats fine now that I have it away from the rest of the flock. I just noticed today another chicken is getting the same black scabs on its face but not as bad. Are my chickens sick or are they being picked on?

 

[buildingmyark]

Are the sores round or wart-like? If so, it could be a bad case of fowl pox. If it is fowl pox, it will likely go through the flock. Hopefully someone can help you figure this out.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, that does appear to be a bad case of fowl pox. It is a virus carried by mosquitoes, then spread through the flock. There is no treatment except when the pox get into the eyes or throat to cause wet pox. Then an antibiotic probably should be considered. Something like amoxicillin, keflex, or baytril if you can them from your vet. Look into your chicken's beak and throat for any yellow cheesy patches that can close the airway. Consider vaccinating your chickens that don't have it. Here is some info: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/avian-pox-how-to-treat-your-chickens-for-avian-pox

 

[Eggcessive]

Some people recommend applying iodine to the scabs to dry them out. Here is another good link: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12150_12220-26362--,00.html

 

[Wyandottes7]

I agree, it looks like Fowl Pox. To help prevent spread of the disease, treat their area for mosquitoes and other flying insects. Put some shoe polish or iodine on the scabs to help them go away.

 

[Annie Lamb]

Does this look like pox? i need her to be in perfect health so she can cross the state lines and move with me.