What are the black spots on my roo's comb?

[dustbath]

I started with three hens and a rooster (sold to me as four hens when pullets). They spend a lot of time in their coop and run because we have little land and neighbors dogs are a problem when I'm not around. That really isn't enough hens for the rooster in an enclosed space. Two of the hens were always half bald from the rooster.

A series of unfortunate events and the addition of a neighbor's abandoned rooster left me with two rooster-hen pairs. The two I'm worried about now, with black spots on combs, free range most of the time and spend the night in the coop. The hen is able to get away from the rooster when she wants but it still looks as if he is hard on her back.

I haven't noticed that they bully each other; it's more a problem of over-breeding and damage to the hen's feathers and skin on her back.

When I'm in a position to augment my flock, I would definitely add more hens. I've heard you really need about 8 hens per rooster but others would be better able to advise than me.

I don't know if it matters but my chickens supposedly hatched together.

Let me know how yours work out.

 

[dustbath]

Does anyone think this looks like fowl pox? I know the pictures aren't that great. I don't see the white or yellow pustules that are described in connection with pox. His comb looks as if the tips have been colored with a black magic marker or paint.

 

[dustbath]

The hen who is housed with the affected rooster has the same spots but along the base of her comb.

This morning, a spot appeared on the other rooster's comb, who is housed in a separate section of the coop.

Do they still look like peck marks? If so, I won't worry (much).

Thanks!

 

[chickenzoo]

You'r o.k. , I think they are just fine. If there are no raised sections, no little pimple type leasions, just looks like black crud, they will be fine. My roos and hens get them all the time from who knows what, just a chicken thing.

 

[dustbath]

Whew!!! Thank you!!!!

 

[Gideonsroost]

Come on now this post is everywhere and no answer. My Roosters have black spots on their comb and I have read everything in my Chicken Health Handbook, done a major google search and know that my roosters do not have scabs, or pox. The black spots are slightly raised but not scabs and from every detailed description of pox that isn't it either. My rooster are not suffering any ill health and this sympton is not showing up on the hens combs. If this is so common lets hear it from the veterinary side or some one else. Also I have no reduction in eggs laid. Roosters have shown symptoms for atleast 3 months now with no other change in appearance or behavior. the Chicken Health Handbook descripes pox as white specs that turn into dark scabs. This is not the case with my roos or the one in photo?

 

[AZ Green]

Looks like Stick Fast Flees


Control and treatment
Control and treatment go hand in hand.
Smear a light coating of an oily substance over these insects and they suffocate very quickly. Olive oil and baby oil are useful for this, as they do not irritate the birds' eyes.
Treat the shed floors as for mites and ticks.
Like mites, all fleas will infest your home if left unchecked and will feed on any living warm-blooded animals.
Infested birds should be sprayed with insecticide and all litter or articles harbouring the flea destroyed.
In controlling the flea on poultry, the housing of these animals must be included.
For this reason, the parasite is not easily eradicated from backyard poultry houses or free-ranging poultry farms that are unable to provide impervious flooring.
Impervious floors are necessary for breaking the life cycle by denying larvae the ability to burrow 15cm into the soil to form a cacoon.

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/aap/pou/hea/fn002_1997.pdf

hope that helps.

 

[Fanniecrink]

I have them too! My rooster had mites, I did vaseline. Tonight I noticed black spots all over his coomb. This is not pecked. He lives/free range with 5 hens. In coop at night. I've had all of them over a year. What is this???

 

[Bettyboboo]

Does anyone know what the black spots on my rooster's comb are?  I've attached a photo but you have to blow it up to really see them.


Is this what blackhead or bluecomb look like?


I first noticed the spots this morning.  This rooster free ranges with one hen, who also has the spots though less noticeably.  The other birds, who are separate, don't.  The two groups are separated in the coop by chicken wire.


I'm concerned because I recently lost a hen to hepatitis, probably vibrionic hepatitis.  Since then, for the past few days, I've been treating all the birds with terramycin (on a vet's advice).


I don't know if this is relevant but yesterday afternoon I locked the two affected birds inside the coop and let the others out, so they were in the coop for several hours when they would normally be ranging.


This rooster is a new addition.  He started spending the day here a couple of months ago and I've been letting him sleep in the coop for a couple of weeks (he was abandoned).


Any ideas what's going on?  Disease, injury, dirt?

 

[Bettyboboo]

I have them too!  My rooster had mites, I did vaseline.  Tonight I noticed black spots all over his coomb.  This is not pecked.  He lives/free range with 5 hens.  In coop at night.  I've had all of them over a year.  What is this???