Is Canker Common?

[RuffledFeathers9112]

So we have 2 eight month old hens and 2 three week old chicks. One hen has suspected canker. Metronidazole should be arriving tomorrow.

My husband is concerned about lifelong sickness and I hear that once a hen is a carrier, its always a carrier and can spread it to others. He spoke with a family member who is very natural when it comes to his farm... no medications, organic, etc. The family member suggested culling the sick hen but now husband is talking about wiping out the flock to put an end to contamination because at this point, all of them have been infected. I know this can be upsetting for some to hear, but as the saying goes... one bad apple can ruin the bunch.

How common is canker? If it is very common amongst chickens, I may be able to persuade him to save them, treat with metronidazole and manage with copper sulfate. If it is not very common, then... we may be starting over soon.

 

[dawg53]

Are you absolutely sure it's canker and not wet fowl pox? Do you have a mosquito problem?
Have you seen lesions inside the mouth? IF there are lesions, is there a foul odor from the mouth?

 

[RuffledFeathers9112]

Hi. Thanks for your response. No lesions in the mouth. But i do see lesions under the eye. Both nares are now closed. We do have mosquitos down here in Florida.

 

[dawg53]

Hi. Thanks for your response. No lesions in the mouth. But i do see lesions under the eye. Both nares are now closed. We do have mosquitos down here in Florida.

I live in Florida too. Smell the nares close up, is there a foul odor?

 

[RuffledFeathers9112]

Thanks for your reply. No foul odor to the nares

 

[dawg53]

Thanks for your reply. No foul odor to the nares

That's good news. Lesions under the eye is fowl pox.
As far as the nares blockage, I thought it could possibly be sinus canker. However sinus canker is necrotic looking and has an unmistakable foul odor. I've never owned silkies, there's no comb to present fowl pox lesions as with the skin below the eye as you mentioned.
I believe your silkie has fowl pox, not canker.

You can use tweezers to remove the lesions from the nares as best as you can. There will be blood, apply gauze as necessary and use gauze and/or q-tips to put iodine on the areas where lesions were removed. Then cage her with food and water. You can provide her with electrolytes mixed in water or add a few drops of Poultry Nutri Drench in her water to help build up her immune system. Give her time to fully heal and keep her separated from other birds.
Hopefully it's a mild strain of pox and should go away on its own in about 3-4 weeks.

 

[RuffledFeathers9112]

Thanks!! I used a damp cloth and was able to unclog the nares with just that. Not sure what the growths above the nares are but just left those for now. One nare is larger than the other but she sat willingly for the soak.