Pretty sure they've got the pox

[Pondering Chickens]

Okay - so I thought some of the chickens were just getting rough with each other because some of them are rather pissy and like to peck and fight - well now that I've notice several of them have warty looking scabs on their faces and around their eyes - I think they have the pox. I had just put them through a round of antibiotics to help their heads heal from what I thought was rough-housing... but now one is coughing so I need to look in her mouth. The scabby things are a brown color that really look like a wart - but I pushed on one and it came off and presented just a little blood (chicken didn't seem to care). Their combs and waddles have some bumps too - but they are eating and drinking and act fine with the exception of the one that was coughing last night.

So are ALL the chickens going to get this? (I have about 38 of them - all adults some heavy breed and a few "game chickens") Should I vaccinate for the pox or just let this thing run its course?

I am afraid to lose the whole flock - on top of really enjoying my chickens I paid a lot of money for these silly beautiful birds (bought 6 different types of heavy breeds from mcmurray and they are very cool). I thought that when you bought chickens you just gave them feed, water, and a place to live and all was happy in chicken-land...guess not!

Any suggestions or help would be wonderful!

 

[silkiechicken]

Welcome!


Just let it run it's course if thats what you think you have. You can't vaccinate for something they already have. Vaccines need to be given early on so they have time to build immunity. If they have been fed well and have grown up building a healthy body, I bet they'll be fine and make it right though.

 

[Pondering Chickens]

Poor things - they look horrible. I'll know from now on if I let them hatch babies or buy babies to have them vaccinated for this.

I had just had them on a big push on high protein lay pellets to see if I could improve egg production so they should be nice and strong - they sure got bigger! Plus I added a light to the chicken house and hung a feeder with scratch for them 24/7 and got them a new waterer for the house - - - Sigh... I'll let you know how they turn out. :|

 

[silkiechicken]

I don't know if the vaccine is commonly available. It might be something you have to do yourself, or just let run it's course. The common ones are Mericks and Cocci.

 

[katrinag]

We had the poxs this summer. We just let it runs it course. Now everyone is doing good.

 

[illinichick]

My flock of 26 are just now getting over it. Mine got it when they were moulting. It makes since if their bodies were weak from moulting and they would catch a virus. All are doing well except one BR hen who is blind in one eye from it.

 

[imfowl]

Mine have it now. Just let it run its course. You will notice a drop in egg production, though.

 

[speckledhen]

Fowl Pox is one of the "lesser" diseases, IMO, because it runs its course and does not make a bird a carrier. Put mild iodine on the lesions to dry them out faster, if you like. Wet pox is worse, but most I see have the dry pox.

 

[Pondering Chickens]

I went out last night and coughing chicken is still coughing - - - so I am not sure what her deal is. I didn't see anything in her mouth or on her face so ???
I bombed them with DE and sprinkled it all through the house and boxes to get rid of parasites while they are trying to fight off this new disease of pox. Added some of the DE to their hanging feeder and mixed it in for internal bugs/worms. Just going to keep an eye on them and let this thing pass. They are acting like they are fine so I am not going to worry too much.

Thanks for all the great posts! I love that no one got real excited and just gave me the calm vibes.

I needed that!