Fowl Pox
Synonyms : chicken pox (not to be confused with chicken pox in humans; the human disease does not affect poultry and vice versa), sore head, avian diphtheria, bird pox
Species affected : Most poultry -- chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, psittacine, and ratites -- of all ages are susceptible.
Clinical signs : There are two forms of fowl pox. The dry form is characterized by raised, wart-like lesions on unfeathered areas (head, legs, vent, etc.). The lesions heal in about 2 weeks. If the scab is removed before healing is complete, the surface beneath is raw and bleeding. Unthriftiness and retarded growth are typical symptoms of fowl pox. In laying hens, infection results in a transient decline in egg production (see Table 1 ).
In the wet form there are canker-like lesions in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and trachea. The wet form may cause respiratory distress by obstructing the upper air passages. Chickens may be affected with either or both forms of fowl pox at one time.
Transmission : Fowl pox is transmitted by direct contact between infected and susceptible birds or by mosquitos. Virus-containing scabs also can be sloughed from affected birds and serve as a source of infection. The virus can enter the blood stream through the eye, skin wounds, or respiratory tract. Mosquitos become infected from feeding on birds with fowl pox in their blood stream. There is some evidence that the mosquito remains infective for life. Mosquitos are the primary reservoir and spreaders of fowl pox on poultry ranges. Several species of mosquito can transmit fowl pox. Often mosquitos winter-over in poultry houses so, outbreaks can occur during winter and early spring.
Treatment : No treatment is available. However, fowl pox is relatively slow-spreading. Thus, it is possible to vaccinate to stop an outbreak. The wing-web vaccination method is used for chickens and the thigh-stick method for turkeys older than 8 weeks.
Prevention: Fowl pox outbreaks in poultry confined to houses can be controlled by spraying to kill mosquitos. However, if fowl pox is endemic in the area, vaccination is recommended. Do not vaccinate unless the disease becomes a problem on a farm or in the area. Refer to the publication PS-36 (Vaccination of Small Poultry Flocks) for more information on fowl pox vaccinations.
i DO NOT believe they have pox i believe it is frostbite as i have already said a few times or that and possible bacteria or fungal infection with it. fowl can still get frostbite even with lights on in a coop if there is enough humidity in the air with particals of dampness or water u may or may not see. it doesn't matter if it is boys, girls, big comb, little comb ect if moister is in the air enough to cling to those parts and it is cold enough they will still get it. frostbite is just a part of mother nature if it's gonna happen it's gonna happen all we can do is try to help prevent it.
it has been extremely cold here this winter in pa i've had 3 birds now hit by frostbite and it has not been fun and very horrible experience to deal with. i wish that's all mine had to worry about was combs and wattles frostburned but instead they have had their feet hit by full frostbite wich has been very heartbreaking to say the least. one has had to have both her feet amputated and is now still mending, one we saved her feet she is fine just getting over it we caught it fast enough and a roo who we saved his feet but is gonna loose a few toes. it happens to the best of us i like u have tried everything to prevent it but my coops are not heated where as u have an advantage of. sometimes all we can do is our best we know how too to help our beloved pets.
i would NOT vaccinate them for pox if whole flock is not done u will spread it to all and any after being introduced. i DO NOT recommend vaccinateing with any live virus or other vaccine without knowing for sure what it is they have first and what u are doing. improper vaccination can be very dangerous or deadly to the animals. IMHO to me i see nothing on them that resembles pox and the symptoms u have told me do not resemble the disease either.
u asked for my opinion and help, sorry if u disagree.
silkie
