Hot weather and Fowl Pox

[cnj-tx50]

I have 10 18 week old birds and 2 of them EE pullet and EE rooster seem to be having black spots that look like scabs on their combs. I first thought that maybe someone was pecking on them since I have just put them into the layer coop 2 weeks ago. Tonight I noticed that the pullet has what looks like a growth at the top part of her beak. Almost wart like. It is not interfering with her nostrils at this point but am afraid that it will enlarge. I have not dealt with fowl pox in several years and was wondering what the course of action would be.

 

[Suzierd]

Maybe this will help
Fowl Pox
Synonyms : chicken pox (not to be confused with chicken pox in humans; the human disease does not affect poultry and vice versa), sore head, avian diphtheria, bird pox

Species affected : Most poultry -- chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, psittacine, and ratites -- of all ages are susceptible.

Clinical signs : There are two forms of fowl pox. The dry form is characterized by raised, wart-like lesions on unfeathered areas (head, legs, vent, etc.). The lesions heal in about 2 weeks. If the scab is removed before healing is complete, the surface beneath is raw and bleeding. Unthriftiness and retarded growth are typical symptoms of fowl pox. In laying hens, infection results in a transient decline in egg production (see Table 1 ).

In the wet form there are canker-like lesions in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and trachea. The wet form may cause respiratory distress by obstructing the upper air passages. Chickens may be affected with either or both forms of fowl pox at one time.

Transmission : Fowl pox is transmitted by direct contact between infected and susceptible birds or by mosquitos. Virus-containing scabs also can be sloughed from affected birds and serve as a source of infection. The virus can enter the blood stream through the eye, skin wounds, or respiratory tract. Mosquitos become infected from feeding on birds with fowl pox in their blood stream. There is some evidence that the mosquito remains infective for life. Mosquitos are the primary reservoir and spreaders of fowl pox on poultry ranges. Several species of mosquito can transmit fowl pox. Often mosquitos winter-over in poultry houses so, outbreaks can occur during winter and early spring.

Treatment : No treatment is available. However, fowl pox is relatively slow-spreading. Thus, it is possible to vaccinate to stop an outbreak. The wing-web vaccination method is used for chickens and the thigh-stick method for turkeys older than 8 weeks.

Prevention: Fowl pox outbreaks in poultry confined to houses can be controlled by spraying to kill mosquitos. However, if fowl pox is endemic in the area, vaccination is recommended. Do not vaccinate unless the disease becomes a problem on a farm or in the area. Refer to the publication PS-36 (Vaccination of Small Poultry Flocks) for more information on fowl pox vaccinations.

 

[welasharon]

I am in the middle of an epidemic here in N FL evidently. Last year mine had mild pox with spots on the combs and wattles so they are now immune. This year my newbies are polish and breda so there are no combs nor much wattle-wise and they have gotten those horrid huge knots on their beaks...some occluding the nostrils completely and some spots along their legs. Mostly they act fine but one suffered more and would not eat well. Her nostrils are completely covered so I have been bringing her in and feeding her separately on scramble egg and cottage cheese as well as lettng her free range. She has gotten better. She had stopped eating at one point. One silkie had swollen eyes really bad...she lived but has diminished sight now. Not really much you can do unless they get the wet....you would need to read up on some posts about that. I have been lucky to avoid it.

 

[cnj-tx50]

I had an outbreak of this about 5 years ago so was not really really watching for it. Until this year I had hatched mine own eggs under broodies but this year decided to try buying chicks. It seems only those are affected at this point and only 2 of them. I have 40 layers and another rooster and no one else seems to have any problems. I have been battling these crazy wild mallards. About 20 of them all day long are in the yard and I have to clean ALL the outside water containers 4-5 times a day because they are full of dirt. Mine do free range on about 2 acres and I can not keep these ducks out. They are not even afraid of the dogs anymore!

 

[cnj-tx50]

This only seems to be the dry form of it at least so maybe it will run it's course. I will just keep a watch on the one with the growth on the beak and hope that it does not interfere with the nostrils. Thanks so much for the replies!