I'd like some assistance determining what is causing the spots on my chickens combs and wattles. I did read the sticky for this forum so I'll simply follow the requested format:
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Two Barred Rock hens and an ISA Brown hen. They came from a feed store, I've had them for going on 20 weeks. They seem to be normal weight per their breed profile.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
One of the BR's and the ISA Brown have the bumps shown in the photos on their combs and wattles. The other one seemingly has no spots, but her comb & wattles haven't really fully developed yet (which is a mystery in itself) however none of the 3 appear to show any other symptoms of illness. And the ISA Brown just laid her first egg today, which looks healthy and normal.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
I first noticed the bumps on the ISA Brown about 1.5 to 2 weeks ago, they appeared as black spots on her wattles. The Barred Rock began exhibiting yellowish bumps about 4 days ago, of which at least one appears to be turning darker.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Two out of three birds are affected.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
None noted.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Mosquitos in the area. I do not know what, if anything, these birds were vaccinated against at the hatchery.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I've just transitioned them fully to layer feed less than a week ago and they have oyster shell offered free choice on the side. They also eat grass and whatever else they find in their run and when I let them out in the yard to range in the evenings. Their water is the same well water from my house tap that they've always drank. All appear to be eating and drinking normally.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
None.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I know of no vets around here that will see poultry, I'm gonna have to do this on my own (which I am fine with) and learn along the way.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
See attaches images.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
They live in a prefab chicken coop with pine flake bedding which I change weekly if not more often. Summers here are too hot to do the deep litter thing. I've made a 10x14 enclosed run for them which they have access to whenever they want. A week or two ago I noticed several flies and ants so I began sprinkling food-grade diatomaceous earth under the bedding in the nesting boxes and main coop whenever I replace it, which seems to have helped a lot.
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Two Barred Rock hens and an ISA Brown hen. They came from a feed store, I've had them for going on 20 weeks. They seem to be normal weight per their breed profile.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
One of the BR's and the ISA Brown have the bumps shown in the photos on their combs and wattles. The other one seemingly has no spots, but her comb & wattles haven't really fully developed yet (which is a mystery in itself) however none of the 3 appear to show any other symptoms of illness. And the ISA Brown just laid her first egg today, which looks healthy and normal.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
I first noticed the bumps on the ISA Brown about 1.5 to 2 weeks ago, they appeared as black spots on her wattles. The Barred Rock began exhibiting yellowish bumps about 4 days ago, of which at least one appears to be turning darker.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Two out of three birds are affected.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
None noted.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Mosquitos in the area. I do not know what, if anything, these birds were vaccinated against at the hatchery.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I've just transitioned them fully to layer feed less than a week ago and they have oyster shell offered free choice on the side. They also eat grass and whatever else they find in their run and when I let them out in the yard to range in the evenings. Their water is the same well water from my house tap that they've always drank. All appear to be eating and drinking normally.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
None.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I know of no vets around here that will see poultry, I'm gonna have to do this on my own (which I am fine with) and learn along the way.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
See attaches images.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
They live in a prefab chicken coop with pine flake bedding which I change weekly if not more often. Summers here are too hot to do the deep litter thing. I've made a 10x14 enclosed run for them which they have access to whenever they want. A week or two ago I noticed several flies and ants so I began sprinkling food-grade diatomaceous earth under the bedding in the nesting boxes and main coop whenever I replace it, which seems to have helped a lot.
