Hen has yellow spots on comb and wattle—should I be concerned?

[ROKsChicks77]

Our Welsomer (8 months old) has yellowish spots on her comb and wattle. I think they have been there several days or maybe a week or so. It seems to be tender to the touch. Pictures attached. She’s eating and drinking normally. She has not laid any eggs yet.

 

[azygous]

it may be favus, a fungus. Try some athlete's foot cream on it. Or you can paint it with Blu-kote which is also anti-fungal.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like comb injury, possibly from hitting or running into wire fencing or pecking. There looks to be some pecked and broken off feathers on both sides of combs. She has some evidence of a mini-molt as well.

 

[ROKsChicks77]

It looks like comb injury, possibly from hitting or running into wire fencing or pecking. There looks to be some pecked and broken off feathers on both sides of combs. She has some evidence of a mini-molt as well.

Thanks! She’s low on the pecking order so she probably is getting picked on. Do you think we should do anything? Treat it? Separate her?

 

[Eggcessive]

Spend some time with the flock hanging out watching their behavior with her. Is it one chicken who is bullying, or all of them? Do they have enough room, are they getting outside to free range, and are they enough nest boxes? What are you feeding? Is there enough protein? You may need to separate a bully, or you might need to protect her in a dog crate with food and water. Are there roosters?

 

[ROKsChicks77]

Thanks so much for your response. I didn’t see it and now her comb and wattle are worse. New pictures attached.

I think it’s two chickens who are picking on her, the 2 Buff Orpingtons. No rooster. They are out to free range all day and closed in at night. The coop is plenty big enough for 5 chickens but they do jockey for positions on the roosts. Maybe we should separate her at night?

We feed laying mash and scraps, with occasional meal worm treats. Is that enough protein?

 

[Perris]

could it be fowl pox?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think it’s two chickens who are picking on her, the 2 Buff Orpingtons. No rooster. They are out to free range all day and closed in at night. The coop is plenty big enough for 5 chickens but they do jockey for positions on the roosts. Maybe we should separate her at night?

It looks like comb injury, possibly from hitting or running into wire fencing or pecking. There looks to be some pecked and broken off feathers on both sides of combs. She has some evidence of a mini-molt as well.

I agree with @Eggcessive it looks like injury to the comb.
Sometimes birds do nip one another's combs during roosting.
Looks like the injury is scabbing over, but you'll want to keep watch on it. You can apply a dab of BluKote or Pine Tar.

As for separating birds at night, I'm not a fan. She needs to stay with her flock, but do make sure there's plenty or roosting space for the Gals.