One Chick got sick maybe fowl pox, what can I do?

[Larkspur88]

Looks like fowl pox.

I do believe wild birds can be carriers, but don't take my word 100%. I have doves and they too get a type of pox whether the same kind or different strain I am unsure. I heard some people say they just let their birds ride through it. Once they get it and recover they have dn immunity to it.

 

[chickengrl]

I had to read a bit to find the answer. Fowl pox can occur at any age. It can spread from direct contact, but is often introduced by mosquitos who carry it from bird to bird. It doesn't look like wild birds carry it, or at least aren't common carriers. It is supposed to be slow spreading. Once the bird recovers it is not a carrier and will actually become immune to it. You can vaccinate your birds for it if you live in a mosquito infested area. Really sorry about your chicks, I hope they make it though it. Good luck!

 

[Newbreed]

Will young chicks survive it too?
Is there something one can do to support the healing process?

 

[chickengrl]

I would think that young chicks will have a harder time with fowl pox. There is no treatment, and if you truly have fowl pox, you may have to vaccinate any new birds to keep from seeing it again. The virus lives for several months in the dried scabs that fall off. Apparently it is hard to get it out of the chicken coop too. The best you can do for the chicks is keep them warm, encourage them to eat, and keep plenty of water available. You could put vitamins and electrolytes in the water to help them a bit. I wouldn't do that every day though. They can get too much. I am more of a believer of plenty of fresh, clean water. Maybe some folks will have more suggestions for you. I haven't had to deal with this before. Hope this helps.

Try editing your origional question and put in the title...maybe fowl pox, what can I do?....you might get some folks who have dealt with it before.

 

[Newbreed]

Thanks for all your advice.
At our area we can not get Chicken vitamins.
Is there other things that can be done?
I have to travel on monday and will be away for about a week, a neighbour will feed them.
It is really not nice situation if they would die while someone else takes care of them.

 

[bethinoklahoma]

so sorry... I feel for you.
As far as what to do Im at a loss but I would add
some sugar and baby vits without iron to the water.
Maybe even cull the ones that look the worse...
Sorry again ~~

 

[chicmom]

I think fowl pox is probably what they have. That is from mosquito bites. It's one of those things they just have to get through.....some do not survive, while others seem to do OK. It is a relative of chicken pox, I've read. The only thing you can do is apply some topical ointment and maybe give some antibiotics in their drinking water if those pox look infected. If they are weak, you can use a dropper to get it into their mouths, and I would suggest a very strong antibiotic like Tylan, just because your poor chicks are really looking rough.

Good luck to you and I'm sorry you're going through this!

Sharon