Is this fowl pic or something else?

[The chook pen]

Hello. Our Pekin Bantam rooster is 7 months old. About a week ago, I noticed what I thought were peck cuts on his comb. He has recently been put in a new pen. This has progressed very quickly to what is now in the attached photos. Is this fowl pox? It is winter in Australia. I haven’t ever had fowl pox in our flock since we first got chooks 10 years ago so am not sure. Or, could it be something else? Our 12 month old Leghorn cross Silky Hazel is now looking very flat. She has a few peck scratches on her comb. Perhaps the start of a blister, but I’m not certain. Hobart the rooster is quiet. His eyes also have half swollen As per the photos. Could this be a blister on the eyelid? They were both in the same pen. Our Dorking and other Pekin Bamtams in the same pen are fine so far. I will put these two in a quarantine pen now. Any advice or words of wisdom would be very much appreciated! I have been handling them with gloves until I know what is going on for them.

 

[chickengr]

looks like pox. put some iodine on the scabs. eye drops would help your roo as well. good luck.

 

[The chook pen]

Oh dear. Thank you for such a quick reply, I appreciate that! As far as eye drops, would you suggest a mild salt water solution or something else? I have Opticlox but think that treats bacterial infections not viral. I guess there’s not a lot I can do to stop it spreading among the flock now but have moved these two out to the quarantine pen. There shouldn’t be many mosquitos now given we are having winter frosts.

 

[chickengr]

Oh dear. Thank you for such a quick reply, I appreciate that! As far as eye drops, would you suggest a mild salt water solution or something else? I have Opticlox but think that treats bacterial infections not viral. I guess there’s not a lot I can do to stop it spreading among the flock now but have moved these two out to the quarantine pen. There shouldn’t be many mosquitos now given we are having winter frosts.

salt water is ok. I don't know what eye drops you have in your country. watch your birds and keep asking questions. there is time difference between us but there will always be someone on line.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is dry fowl pox. It is a virus spread by mosquitoes that runs it’s course over about a month. There is also a wet form that causes yellow gunk inside the beak and throat that is more serious.

If eyes are affected, they may be prone to bacterial eye infections such as mycoplasma. An antibacterial eye drop or ointment is good to use when the scabs are around the eyes. Saline eye wash can also be used to flush the eyes. Here is a good article to read:
http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/fowl-pox-backyard-flocks

 

[The chook pen]

This is all very helpful information, thank you so much! We moved home recently. Up until then, we were on a farm and other poultry flocks were not nearby. I wonder whether perhaps poultry nearer to our new home have had fowl pox and if it has spread by mosquitos from those hens to ours that way.

as far as the hens in the original coop that I have removed these ones from, do I just monitor them for what? Do they look depressed first like Silky Hazel (the white Leghorn x) with tiny black scratch like scabs before the blisters start? Also, has anyone ever given Vitamin C to chooks to support their immune systems? I was curious!

 

[The chook pen]

Unfortunately Silky Hazel the Leghorn x died this afternoon. She appeared the least affected blister wise so I was surprised. I wonder if that is perhaps because she was a high egg producer? Or are some breeds more robust than others? I’m weighing up vaccinating the remaining flock. Is this worth doing for the symptom free birds or will it spread regardless now? Thank you!

 

[dawg53]

Unfortunately Silky Hazel the Leghorn x died this afternoon. She appeared the least affected blister wise so I was surprised. I wonder if that is perhaps because she was a high egg producer? Or are some breeds more robust than others? I’m weighing up vaccinating the remaining flock. Is this worth doing for the symptom free birds or will it spread regardless now? Thank you!

Yes, it's a good idea to vaccinate the rest of your unaffected flock.

 

[The chook pen]

Thank you

 

[chickengr]

Yes, it's a good idea to vaccinate the rest of your unaffected flock.

even if they have already been exposed to virus? I wouldn't take chances at this stage.