Still no idea what’s going on with my hens comb and growing black spots

[Ohsrsly]

My pullet (about 7 months old) has these black spots on her comb and wattles. They started as small spots a few months ago and just keep growing. She acts normally otherwise (that is she eats, drinks, runs around with the others, and lays eggs). She does not have signs of mites or lice. None of her flock mates has anything remotely like this. It has been at least a few months since these started as smaller spots and just keep growing. I’m stumped!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Fowl pox? @Eggcessive
@ChickenCanoe
@LaFleche

 

[Ohsrsly]

Fowl pox? @Eggcessive
@ChickenCanoe
@LaFleche

I wondered about that but wasn’t sure since none of the others have any spots— is that normal for just one to get it?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I wondered about that but wasn’t sure since none of the others have any spots— is that normal for just one to get it?

Sorry, I know nothing about FP yet, that's why I tagged some Educators. I hope to learn, though.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Looks like it could be fowl pox/dry pox, A virus spread most likely by mosquitos. I would expect others to be infected. However, since there are no other symptoms like weight loss, lethargy, respiratory issues or diminished egg production - I would consider something else.
In the absence of other symptoms, I would look at the possibility of abrasions. Whether fighting/biting or catching comb and wattles on something in the environment.

 

[Eggcessive]

How many months has she had this? If she has had this for months, I would think they were pecking injuries rather than fowl pox virus. Fowl pox usually causes a series of lesions to show up as a beige spot that turns to a brown scab, and lasts around 3 weeks. Some outbreaks could be more severe. Here are some links to read with pictures of fowl pox:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/fowl-pox-prevention-treatmen/

 

[Ohsrsly]

They started as smaller beige spots that darkened and grew, but it has definitely been more than three weeks. Here is what they looked like about three weeks ago. @Eggcessive

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My pullet (about 7 months old) has these black spots on her comb and wattles. They started as small spots a few months ago and just keep growing. She acts normally otherwise (that is she eats, drinks, runs around with the others, and lays eggs). She does not have signs of mites or lice. None of her flock mates has anything remotely like this. It has been at least a few months since these started as smaller spots and just keep growing. I’m stumped!

They started as small spots a few months ago and just keep growing.

Have you put anything on those scabs? If so, what?

You had a post on 07/16/25 about her and the lesions were there, but you also mentioned that you had noticed them a few weeks before that, which would put the timeline at around 07/01. So has it been a "few months" or a month +/-?

They do look worse, and I'm not convinced you are dealing with Fowl Pox unless the others are picking at her scabs making it worse and preventing healing.

I'd try painting the scabs with Iodine to see if they will dry up. Watch to see if the other birds are picking at the scabs.

Have you had any other issues or illness within the last several months? Respiratory illness, anything odd, lost any birds, etc.?

 

[Ohsrsly]

Have you put anything on those scabs? If so, what?

You had a post on 07/16/25 about her and the lesions were there, but you also mentioned that you had noticed them a few weeks before that, which would put the timeline at around 07/01. So has it been a "few months" or a month +/-?

They do look worse, and I'm not convinced you are dealing with Fowl Pox unless the others are picking at her scabs making it worse and preventing healing.

I'd try painting the scabs with Iodine to see if they will dry up. Watch to see if the other birds are picking at the scabs.

Have you had any other issues or illness within the last several months? Respiratory illness, anything odd, lost any birds, etc.?

I haven’t put anything on them- she’s a bit tough to catch because she startles and calls for the rooster. She’s extremely friendly when she’s on the ground but hates to be picked up. I can try iodine though.

I guess it’s been maybe 2 months, tops now that I am looking back at photos? It feels longer!

I have not lost any birds from this flock, and none of the others have any similar spots. She did have a minor cough back in June that cleared up and didn’t seem to affect her behavior. The rest of her flock was fine- they haven’t shown any signs of issues. I think she may also have had some worms and she just finished deworming last week- but that never seemed to keep her down either.

She does seem to be fairly low in the pecking order but nobody seems to be actively bullying her either. And I have never seen any signs of blood from pecking order anything like that.

 

[LaFleche]

My pullet (about 7 months old) has these black spots on her comb and wattles. They started as small spots a few months ago and just keep growing. She acts normally otherwise (that is she eats, drinks, runs around with the others, and lays eggs). She does not have signs of mites or lice. None of her flock mates has anything remotely like this. It has been at least a few months since these started as smaller spots and just keep growing. I’m stumped!

To me her comb looks somewhat swollen/infected compared to the first picture.
Is it warmer to the touch compared to your other hens combs?

If so, you could try treating it with triple antibiotic ointment twice a day and in case topicals are not strong enough you could start to treat her oral antibiotics. But mind the respective egg withdrawal period when using oral antibiotics.