I have 2 red sex-links and today the comb on one of them suddenly looks awful. It's not upright, kind of lays over to the side, and has a nasty looking skin disease on it. It's actually much worse looking than the pic below... please share any advice on this. Thanks.
Yup, that looks like Fowl Pox. Here are some links on it: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/fowlpox/fowlpox_in_chickens_and_turkeys.html http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm021 https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/avian-pox-how-to-treat-your-chickens-for-avian-pox http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Fowlpox.html Fortunately, it's not usually serious, unless it becomes the wet form. Your hen should look better in a couple of weeks. To help the scabs go away, you can dab them with iodine. This should help them dry up. Keep in mind that a respiratory disease often accompanies Fowl Pox, especially if it progresses to the wet form. You may need to get antibiotics, if this happens.
X2. Dry pox usually lasts several weeks, and usually goes away without treatment, unless there is also wet pox which invades the throat and airway. I would put some Neosporin or Terramycin ointment into the eyes where those scabs are getting close to. Here is a link to read about pox: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/avian-pox-how-to-treat-your-chickens-for-avian-pox
