Scab?

[celticmedic]

One of my hens has had what I thought was a scab on one of her waddles. She has had it for several weeks and has been acting normal. Yesterday after noon she became lethargic. This morning I found the inside contents of an egg with no shell and another egg that was intact in soft shell. She is now inisiting on escaping and it looks to be she is finding a nesting spot. I got her as a chick in May along with her 7 sisters and I do not have a rooster. Rest of the flock is normal and very active. Any thoughts? I have a picture of the scab but doesnt seem I can post it.

Dave
Maine

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Welcome to the forum. I think you need to post 10 times to then post a photo. The scab on her wattles and the laying problems are not necessarily related, hard to say. New layers can take a while to get into normal laying, but that could put a new layer at risk of becoming egg bound or having a soft shelled egg break before it comes out. I'm mot sure if those eggs were laid by here or other new layers perhaps.

You may also want to rule out fowl pox. Here is a helpful thread on that topic: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=260625

 

[RedDrgn]

It does appear to be a scab, but the whitish edging has me wonder about possible fungal infection. The picture is blurry, though, so it's tough to tell. Take a good, close look at it and inspect for any kind of weeping/discharge/fluffiness that would be indicative of an infection.

If it's been there for three weeks, I'd be suspicious - it would be odd for normal scab would remain for that long, unless it keeps getting pecked by others.