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

[Ohsrsly]

Molting first usually happens in a chicken's second autumn and each thereafter. However that is when the chicks hatch in spring and summer. A December hatched chicken will often molt in the first autumn. When a bird molts, you will see a lot of feathers like someone had a pillow fight in the coop and run.
Molting almost always stops egg production. It is hard to build a new winter coat made of 92% protein while kicking out a lump of protein every day.
With egg binding they usually make frequent unsuccessful trips to the nest box. The vent will often pulse relentlessly.
What state are you in?

I am in northwestern Tennessee.

She made one trip to the nest box about 5 days ago and did not lay, which is pretty normal for her- she often sits, doesn’t lay, and then lays two the next day often by “surprise” out in the run or while roosting. But she hasn’t been back to the nest box that I know of in 5 days. She’s kind of just huddling in a corner unless I come out with scratch grains. I do see her visiting the waterer.

 

[Eggcessive]

Mine usually have molted around 18 months old and yearly thereafter. But some have their own schedule. Some molt gradually where I have only noticed some missing tail feathers, while others lose those and big patches on the neck and elsewhere. You can check her crop in early morning to see if it has emptied overnight, and look her over for any lice or mites on her skin. Crop problems, parasites, and worms could cause her to be less active and not eat as well.

 

[Ohsrsly]

I

Mine usually have molted around 18 months old and yearly thereafter. But some have their own schedule. Some molt gradually where I have only noticed some missing tail feathers, while others lose those and big patches on the neck and elsewhere. You can check her crop in early morning to see if it has emptied overnight, and look her over for any lice or mites on her skin. Crop problems, parasites, and worms could cause her to be less active and not eat as well.

I am finding more scabs every time I handle her :-( I found some on the skin over her crop that look similar to under her vent, but her wing feathers also seem to be coming out of crusty black follicles. I am stumped and feeling so discouraged.

I did put her on oral antibiotics- all I had access to was a mixed antibiotic containing a blend of smz-tmp, tylosin and doxycycline.

It feels like she has scabs all over her body at this point, and I don’t know why or how to help.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think that I would probably place her in a shaded dog crate with food and water for monitoring. Keep her near the others for company. Make sure that she is eating and drinking, and offer a little egg for a treat. Watch for any other scabs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She made one trip to the nest box about 5 days ago and did not lay, which is pretty normal for her- she often sits, doesn’t lay, and then lays two the next day often by “surprise” out in the run or while roosting. But she hasn’t been back to the nest box that I know of in 5 days. She’s kind of just huddling in a corner

I did put her on oral antibiotics- all I had access to was a mixed antibiotic containing a blend of smz-tmp, tylosin and doxycycline.

I'm glad you started an antibiotic. I fear she has some type of infection, but it's hard to know what.

Huddling is not good.
You mention she has been not laying, then laying 2 eggs in one day? Are both hard shelled or one hard/one soft?

I'd work on hydration and eating. Get the meds into her and see how it goes.

If you lose her, it would be good to find out what caused all those lesions, whether it's Marek's, Sepsis, etc. TN from my understanding has a pretty good lab system. CE Kord Diagnostic Lab (Your state lab), I believe for TN residents some services are free or very minimal, but you'd have to call and speak with them to really know, things change so much. It may be worth calling and speaking with a Pathologist there and asking if you can send them photos, they may be able to i.d. what's ailing her? Also UT has a Vet School, wouldn't hurt to reach out to them too.

https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/animals/-c--e--kord-animal-health-diagnostic-lab.html

 

[CrazyChickenLady123]

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/

Random question: is fowl pox fatal? I've been wondering

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Random question: is fowl pox fatal? I've been wondering

It can be.
Generally the Dry Form of Fowl Pox presents with scabs/lesions on the wattles and combs, it can take several weeks for these to heal up and once the bird recovers they have resistance to the strain of the Fowl Pox Virus they had. Dry Form is usually not fatal and most birds don't even act like it bothers them.

There is also a Wet Form (Diptheric) of Fowl Pox, this is more dangerous and affect the mucous membranes, causes lesions and exudes inside the beak of often scabs cover the eyes. Birds can recover from it, but some can die depending on the severity of it, how old they are (small chicks have a harder time) and if a secondary bacterial infection becomes involved.

Here's a bit more reading for you:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/fowlpox/fowlpox-in-chickens-and-turkeys#Diagnosis_v3341411

https://the-chicken-chick.com/fowl-pox-prevention-treatmen/

 

[Ohsrsly]

I'm glad you started an antibiotic. I fear she has some type of infection, but it's hard to know what.

Huddling is not good.
You mention she has been not laying, then laying 2 eggs in one day? Are both hard shelled or one hard/one soft?

I'd work on hydration and eating. Get the meds into her and see how it goes.

If you lose her, it would be good to find out what caused all those lesions, whether it's Marek's, Sepsis, etc. TN from my understanding has a pretty good lab system. CE Kord Diagnostic Lab (Your state lab), I believe for TN residents some services are free or very minimal, but you'd have to call and speak with them to really know, things change so much. It may be worth calling and speaking with a Pathologist there and asking if you can send them photos, they may be able to i.d. what's ailing her? Also UT has a Vet School, wouldn't hurt to reach out to them too.

https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/animals/-c--e--kord-animal-health-diagnostic-lab.html

The two eggs in one day would both have hard shells. The first would usually have a heavy white bloom and the second would usually be a bit misshapen- either really pointy on one end or slightly flat on one side. It is like she holds her egg in, then it comes out by accident in weird locations, and then she would go lay the next one. She has only been laying two months, but did that probably once a week.

She seems to be very good about going to get water, I see her do that a lot when I’m outside. With food I never see her go to the normal feeder, but she will come eat a mash of wet chick starter, scratch grains, or other “exciting” foods.

Today is day two of the antibiotics and I am praying they help her. Other than being sort of “down” and low appetite, she does not appear lethargic (that is- she is awake every time I see her but just not very active).

The whole flock is supposed to do a second round of deworming in a couple of days. Should I go ahead with that?