*Fowl Pox* - 4 Week Old Chicks Eyes Shut!

[CHutson92]

One of our EE showed up with a bunch of Chicks, just as we were starting our battle with fowl pox. Now 3 out of the 5 chicks have sores covering both of their eyes and protruding into their mouths. We have them and mama separated from the rest of the flock who got over it quickly. Mama is in bad shape also, but we are hand feeding, using a syringe to give water and keeping warm. Mama has 1 eye fully covered and the other just has a small slit.

Any Advice, this is the 1st time we have encountered fowl pox. Doing everything we can think of to make sure the chicks live.


Thanks,

Two Chicks & Some Eggs

 

[chickenmama109]

my flock has fowl pox also but not that BAD watch out i think if the ones in the mouth get to big it mite block there air way or make it to where they cant eat or drink sorry i cant help more good luck with your flock

 

[Eggcessive]

You are doing well keeping them in a confined area, and helping them eat and drink. Serve them some watery chick feed with a little egg and plain yogurt. Get some Terramycin eye ointment is good to put in the affected eyes twice a day. Chicks can get really sick with pox, and it can be hard on them. Pox is a virus, but in bad cases, some vets give antibiotics in the water to combat any secondary bacterial diseases.

 

[CHutson92]

You are doing well keeping them in a confined area, and helping them eat and drink. Serve them some watery chick feed with a little egg and plain yogurt. Get some Terramycin eye ointment is good to put in the affected eyes twice a day. Chicks can get really sick with pox, and it can be hard on them. Pox is a virus, but in bad cases, some vets give antibiotics in the water to combat any secondary bacterial diseases.

Thank You, we have lost 3 out of the 5. and the last 2 arent looking to good either. Mama now has both eyes shut. Its been going on for over a month, all of our other chickens have made it though, (minus a few that had other issues). Why would it be taking so long for them to get over it?

Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh I am so sorry to hear that. With chicks, I think that they are much more likely to get really sick or get secondary infections. Pox will take a long time going around the flock, but each chicken should get over it within 3 weeks according to most of the poultry literature. Are you in a warm tropical area or in the deep south where it can be worse? I hope things start getting better soon.

 

[chickenmama109]

im sorry i cant help more hope your flock gets better

 

[CHutson92]

Oh I am so sorry to hear that. With chicks, I think that they are much more likely to get really sick or get secondary infections. Pox will take a long time going around the flock, but each chicken should get over it within 3 weeks according to most of the poultry literature. Are you in a warm tropical area or in the deep south where it can be worse? I hope things start getting better soon.

We are in North Texas, we have been having 90-105 days.

 

[Eggcessive]

That has got to be so tough taking care of sick chicks and older birds in that kind of heat. I am sure that has added to the stress and partly responsible for some of the deaths. There is a vaccine available for fowl pox in those areas common for pox. It should only be given to birds who have not already been exposed. Birds who recover from pox are usually thought to be immune to that particular strain of pox in the future.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Consider adding Nutri-Drench or some other water soluble vitamin to their water and their feed. It will help boost their immune system.

*hugs* It's hard and it's sad to loose our animals.

Hang in their with momma and the two babies!