young chicks with sores on head

[Knight Hawk Ranch]

I have googled and searched but can not find anything that matches what my chicks get.

This is the second batch of chicks that have developed these symptoms: red, wart looking (very similar but not quite) sores around beaks and near eyes. The affected eyes will get weepy but not the sore itself. These are the only symptoms they get. No sneezing, not acting sick, just the sores.

In the past I have treated with Terramycin with no luck (for this problem). I seamed to have some success with adding vitamins (b complex) to the drinking water. This seamed to dry up the sores. So I am leaning toward a nutritional deficiency. They get chick starter and clean water.

First batch of chicks was hatched in incubator and they did not get the sores until they went outside (about 3-4 weeks). The second batch were hatched by a hen, so outside from day one and are also about 4 weeks old.

Any ideas what this might be. (Not all the chicks get them and I have about 4 different age groups now).

 

[patyrdz]

I have heard of pox, could that be it??
I wish I could remember the correct name!! poor babies! Do you think it hurts them?

 

[Zahboo]

I'm guessing some kind of mite, but IDk for sure. Hopefully some of the "experts" will appear

 

[Knight Hawk Ranch]

I am unsure if it is or not. All the photos I have seen of pox (dry or wet) do not look like these. They don't seam to be bothered by them too much and I have not seen them picking at it on each other (knock on wood).

If it were pox, I don't think vitamins would dry it up though. I am really stumped as to what it is and curious if there is a way to clear it up faster.

 

[cluckychick]

Avain Pox: Signs: Dry Pox: small yellow "warts" on wattles, comb, face. These increase in size. Dark brown scabs from, then drop off. Wet Pox: yellow, cheesy lesions in mouth or windpipe.

Cause: Virus. Direct contact with infected birds. Mosquitos carry virus from wild and other birds.

Prevention/Treatment: (P): vaccination (T): swab lesions w/lugol's solution of iodine

Info taken from: The Family Poultry Flock
(c): 1979

 

[Knight Hawk Ranch]

Avain Pox: Signs: Dry Pox: small yellow "warts" on wattles, comb, face. These increase in size. Dark brown scabs from, then drop off. Wet Pox: yellow, cheesy lesions in mouth or windpipe

This is why I am not sure IF this is Avain Pox...they start red and stay red until healed.​

 

[sonarjay]

mosquito bites. ive had chicks w/ the same thing. im guessing that some chicks are allergic just like people b/c they will be in the same pen and some will get the bumps and some want.