Is this fowl pic or something else?

[chickengr]

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!

sorry for your loss. we never know why chickens die. maybe fowl pox, maybe something else.

I would not vaccinate chickens that have already been exposed to virus. a friend of mine did that mistake and learned it hard way. this is my advice, your chickens, your decision.

 

[dawg53]

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

Fowl pox infection is mechanically spread by the crusts that contain it.
Some mosquitos or other blood suckers could spread it but not likely since the birds were separated and put in quarantine, not to mention it's currently winter time in Australia.
The incubation period is 4 to 10 days. In the meantime I dont think the OP is going to sit around and wait for her other birds to get infected by infected insects nor infective scabs/crusts.

 

[chickengr]

I live in a mosquito land. they are active all year. in my case it is not possible to quarantine birds as there are way too many mosquitoes and chickens in the area. everyone knows his/her own situation. in my case sitting and waiting is better than to vaccinate chickens that might have already been infected.

I have had fowl pox in my flock and lost only 1 cockerel that had other health issues as well.

 

[dawg53]

I live in a mosquito land. they are active all year. in my case it is not possible to quarantine birds as there are way too many mosquitoes and chickens in the area. everyone knows his/her own situation. in my case sitting and waiting is better than to vaccinate chickens that might have already been infected.

I have had fowl pox in my flock and lost only 1 cockerel that had other health issues as well.

I can relate with you. We live in north Florida, very close to the Okefenokee swamp. You can check it out on a map if you wish. We have high heat and high humidity most of the year, not to mention the hordes of yellow flies and horse flies in addition to the mosquitos.
Not EVERY mosquito nor biting insect will be infected with fowl pox. Most folks here that have chickens vaccinate their birds for fowl pox anyway.
Personally, I dont vaccinate and I've dealt with fowl pox. Once chickens recover from fowl pox, they are immune to that particular strain.
However, chickens can get a different strain such as turkey pox or canary pox as examples.
If that happens, the fowl pox vaccinations are useless.

 

[The chook pen]

This is all very interesting learning about individual experiences with Fowl Pox, thank you all for your thoughts. Vaccine is available for commercial chook producers in large quantities as far as I can see. I found some in a small quantity that had no accompanying product information so wasn’t confident to use it!

I’ve had one more bantam show symptoms and she has only had a few mild scabs. She was in the pen that the Pekin Rooster was removed from when he showed symptoms.

I’ve a few more questions that people may know answers to. How does it work using birds for meat? If they show no obvious symptoms can they still be used for meat?

Given the incubation period how does one go about selling birds? If they are taken to a seperate property some distance away for say 2 weeks and if they display no symptoms in that time I would assume they are okay to sell?

Are there long term problems from chooks getting this condition eg does it affect egg production only when they have the Fowl Pox or is it a problem for the rest of their laying lifespan?

thank you again everyone!

 

[chickengr]

This is all very interesting learning about individual experiences with Fowl Pox, thank you all for your thoughts. Vaccine is available for commercial chook producers in large quantities as far as I can see. I found some in a small quantity that had no accompanying product information so wasn’t confident to use it!

I’ve had one more bantam show symptoms and she has only had a few mild scabs. She was in the pen that the Pekin Rooster was removed from when he showed symptoms.

I’ve a few more questions that people may know answers to. How does it work using birds for meat? If they show no obvious symptoms can they still be used for meat?

Given the incubation period how does one go about selling birds? If they are taken to a seperate property some distance away for say 2 weeks and if they display no symptoms in that time I would assume they are okay to sell?

Are there long term problems from chooks getting this condition eg does it affect egg production only when they have the Fowl Pox or is it a problem for the rest of their laying lifespan?

thank you again everyone!

you can eat meat but make sure you boil it. I have heard the story that gypsies eat even chickens that died and they say it has to be boiled for 1 hour so that all the germs, etc are killed.

I wouldn't sell chickens that might be infected. I think 4 weeks and 100 ft distance is required (but I am not sure). if there are a lot of mosquitoes in the area distancing chickens might not help.

I ignore fowl pox as I live in a mosquito land. some betadine on the scabs or a drop under the chicken's tongue, some garlic and hot peppers + a lot of veggies and fruits and that is all. what is good to fight viruses with humans works with chickens as well. my chickens have never had any issues after fowl pox.

 

[dawg53]

This is all very interesting learning about individual experiences with Fowl Pox, thank you all for your thoughts. Vaccine is available for commercial chook producers in large quantities as far as I can see. I found some in a small quantity that had no accompanying product information so wasn’t confident to use it!

I’ve had one more bantam show symptoms and she has only had a few mild scabs. She was in the pen that the Pekin Rooster was removed from when he showed symptoms.

I’ve a few more questions that people may know answers to. How does it work using birds for meat? If they show no obvious symptoms can they still be used for meat?

Given the incubation period how does one go about selling birds? If they are taken to a seperate property some distance away for say 2 weeks and if they display no symptoms in that time I would assume they are okay to sell?

Are there long term problems from chooks getting this condition eg does it affect egg production only when they have the Fowl Pox or is it a problem for the rest of their laying lifespan?

thank you again everyone!

The meat is safe to eat as are the eggs. The vaccine has no effect in humans, cook it and eat it any way you want. Cooking renders the disease harmless with or without vaccination. Humans cant get fowl pox.
Sell the birds whenever you want. Simply let the buyer know they've been vaccinated. I've bought birds from a breeder right after fowl pox vaccinations. No problem.
When birds get fowl pox, egg production slows. Once the disease passes through the flock, birds gradually start picking up laying eggs again back to normal.
Vaccinations prevent this.

You shouldnt see fowl pox symptoms in birds that have been vaccinated.
If you do see fowl pox symptoms, there are several reasons; the vaccine was improperly given and didnt take. The bird was already infected with the disease. The vaccine was beyond expiration date. Heat stress. It was improperly mixed with the diluent. It was a different type of pox infection in which the fowl pox vaccine is ineffective preventing.