Rough spots on neck

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Currently I have them on a non medicated chick starter and grower and mini layer pellets. I have 3 full grown birds and then 6 of the "teenagers". So I tried to make sure they had both. Occasionally they'll all get cracked corn or black soldier fly worms for treats.
And for bedding I just use the pine shavings from TSC
 
When you have chicks or young pullets not yet laying, it is good to feed only chick starter or all flock feed, so the youngsters do not get too much calcium. Layer has 4 times the calcium as chick starter or all flock, and can lead to kidney issues or gout. Crushed oyster shell is used in separate container for the layers to take as they need it.

I would use the dandruff shampoo as Wyorp Rock recommended suggested, but just a normal balanced chicken feed with perhaps a little egg for a treat. Corn or scratch will only dilute the good balance the feed has. Feather cysts from ingrown feathers can cause bump on skin, but the dermatitis on her back is concerning. The skin type of Mareks could be possible. Hopefully not. The comb may be from pecking or rubbing/damaging it on chicken wire. I would be tempted to give her 1/4 to 1/2 of a human super B complex vitamin tablet to see if that has an affect on her skin. Walmart has some Spring Valley brand for about $8. It has biotin and all of the other B vitamins. It can be given directly in the beak after she eats or crushed and given with food.
 
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If a dandruff shampoo doesn't work, I would try an anti-fungal on the skin. And you can use hydrocortisone cream now.

I would buy some Head and Shoulders shampoo, mix a tablespoon in a spray bottle with water and spray her skin twice a day with it. Give it a week and if no change, go to the anti-fungal cream. Women's vaginal anti-yeast cream is easy to use.
 
Eggcessive said:
When you have chicks or young pullets not yet laying, it is good to feed only chick starter or all flock feed, so the youngsters do not get too much calcium. Layer has 4 times the calcium as chick starter or all flock, and can lead to kidney issues or gout. Crushed oyster shell is used in separate container for the layers to take as they need it.

I would use the dandruff shampoo as Wyorp Rock recommended suggested, but just a normal balanced chicken feed with perhaps a little egg for a treat. Corn or scratch will only dilute the good balance the feed has. Feather cysts from ingrown feathers can cause bump on skin, but the dermatitis on her back is concerning. The skin type of Mareks could be possible. Hopefully not. The comb may be from pecking or rubbing/damaging it on chicken wire. I would be tempted to give her 1/4 to 1/2 of a human super B complex vitamin tablet to see if that has an affect on her skin. Walmart has some Spring Valley brand for about $8. It has biotin and all of the other B vitamins. It can be given directly in the beak after she eats or crushed and given with food.
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Thank you so much for that information! We are still fairly new to chickens. So I appreciate all the insight. I'll switch to just the starter feed for now and get the vitamin B. And attempt another bath.
 
This is on her neck. Its really a big open space. When you move her feathers basically her whole body looks this way.
Could it be Marek's? I tried looking into the Marek's Skin but I couldn't find good reference photos to compare to
 

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How old is this bird just so we know?

Marek's skin issues are normally not ulcerating. In Marek's you would see what would appear to be slight swelling around the base of each feather follicle. Kind of like "goose bumps" humans get when they're chilled.

I am of the opinion this is not Marek's related. Marek's being hideously contagious would likely be affecting more than just one bird.

But you should inspect each of your chickens, new and older ones, very carefully for any sign of swelling of the skin at the base of each feather follicle. Also inspect their eyes. Ocular Marek's would show up as shrinking, irregularly shaped pupils and muddying and fading of the colored iris around the pupil. And watch for any sign of lameness. If this is Marek's it's almost unheard of to only have a single chicken with symptoms.
 
We got her with 5 others at the beginning of August from RK. So they are still fairly young. She is much smaller then the rest of the group we've gotten though. Ive been checking the flock mostly because originally I was told maybe lice or mites but all others are fine. But I have been eyeing them a bit more carefully to watch for any other signs
 
I urge you to be prepared if one of these afflicted chickens dies to refrigerate the body in preparation to sending it to an animal testing lab to determine if you have an avian virus in your flock. Now that you have a second chicken with symptoms, that raises suspicions of a virus.

Two very common avian viruses are Marek's and lymphoid leucosis. Both can cause lameness. Both can cause feather and skin issues. Both can cause tumors on organs. A necropsy is necessary to determine which virus is responsible.

The pathologist will examine the organs for signs of tumors. They will weigh the liver as an enlarged liver is the signature indication of leucosis. They will examine the sciatic nerve to determine if it's inflamed as that's the signature indication of Marek's.

You need to have this information to manage your flock. It's not the end of the world to have one of these viruses in your flock, but each one requires special management.

Call your department of agriculture or university extension office to find the nearest lab. I've used my state lab twice to confirm leucosis in my flock. The second time, I took them a live sick chicken and they euthanized her for me and performed the tests immediately. Your lab will give you information and cost. Mine was around $200. But some states do it for free.
 

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