scabs on combs

[LindsayB]

my norfolk grey hen has scabby bumps all over her comb, I have no idea what it is. She is still eating and drinking great! It doesn't even seem to bother her. I'm wondering if she and they other big hen I have are pecking eachother or something. My other hen had a scab on her comb a few days ago but it healed fast and is almost gone. Any ideas what could be going on?

 

[gumpsgirl]

Sounds like a pecking issue to me. Do you have a roo? He could easily be doing that if he's trying to keep the hens in line. If not, it might be a squabble going on with the pecking order thing.

 

[LindsayB]

Nope I don't have any roosters, just 4 hens. 2 are 15 weeks and 2 are 24 weeks. I think our newest chicken (the one with the scabs) is trying to be the dominant hen.

 

[SpottedCrow]

That's certainly possible...
Sometimes they scratch too and get some scabs on their combs or wattles.

 

[LindsayB]

so ya'll don't think its a disease or something serious? I wouldn't want tp put the rest of them at risk...

 

[SpottedCrow]

No, I don't think it's a disease...
Or they'd all mostly likely have it.

 

[LindsayB]

okay thanks! is there anything I could put on the comb to help it heal? It looks pretty gross...

 

[SpottedCrow]

No, I'd just leave it alone...
Is it all over the comb or just certain places?

These pictures are actually from BYC...

 

[karrie]

Could be Fowl Pox. Mine all got it 2 years ago when we had an invasion of mosquitos. I worried about it till I read everything I could find on the subject. Luckily it was the dry form, & it eventually went away after about 4 months. It didn't bother them at all, just looked awful. The other form is deadly---it gets in their mouths. Somebody else that has been through it with their chickens might can tell you more about it.

 

[LindsayB]

it looks just like that pic!