Fowl Pox

[Mojo1967]

I have a question about fowl pox does it affect mostly roosters? I have lost 3 roosters in the last week in a half. With 3 suspected roo's that are looking questionable this morning. All 3 do have dry pox on their combs. My dead roosters I did not see any lesions down their throats. But with dry pox in my yard I suspect wet pox. My hens and pullets that live with them are all fine. I have a hen with 2 chicks the male has dry pox the female does not. It is just strange. I have my whole flock on chick feed mash with added vitamins, oregano oil in waterers and lots of raw eggs just in case one cannot eat hard food. Anything I am missing?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post photos of the roosters and the combs/scabs/lesions?
Are scabs covering the eyes so they are not able to eat/drink?

No, Fowl Pox doesn't only affect roosters, it can affect fowl of all ages and gender.
Wet Fowl Pox would be obvious with lesions inside the beak.

Most of the time Dry form of Fowl Pox will resolve on its own over the course of several weeks without any treatment/intervention.

If you lose another rooster, it's time to have a necropsy to find out the cause of losing so many in a short period of time.
You can find your state lab here: https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Mojo1967]

Can you post photos of the roosters and the combs/scabs/lesions?
Are scabs covering the eyes so they are not able to eat/drink?

No, Fowl Pox doesn't only affect roosters, it can affect fowl of all ages and gender.
Wet Fowl Pox would be obvious with lesions inside the beak.

Most of the time Dry form of Fowl Pox will resolve on its own over the course of several weeks without any treatment/intervention.

If you lose another rooster, it's time to have a necropsy to find out the cause of losing so many in a short period of time.
You can find your state lab here: https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Mojo1967]

Thank you for your response. I will take a pictures of the lesions on my roosters this afternoon. I just noticed a 3 day old chick that has 1 bump on it's beak. I suspect roo but really to early to tell for sure. So now I have 4 total. The 3 roos that have it 2 have it on 1 eye. They eat and drink fine. I did put mash out just in case. I did notice my roosters that died ate and drank fine the only odd thing for 2 nights before they died they went up earlier than their hens. Then the 3rd morning found dead in the coop. I will get those pics asap. Thanks again.

 

[Mojo1967]

I was able to catch 3. I have 2 more under moms but they are similar. All mouths were clear or at least as far as I can see. The pictures are not the best.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is obviously fowl pox. When pox scabs are around eyes as some of yours are, I would use some Terramycin or plain Neosporin ointment in the eyes twice a day. Sometimes in young birds the scabs can cover the nostrils, interfering with breathing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Poor little things!
Yes, that's Fowl Pox. It can be much harder on young chicks.

For the scabby lesions on the beaks, I'd try painting those with Iodine.
For the lesions on the eyes, you can dab a bit of Terramycin eye ointment.
The beak looks clear so far, the main thing is to keep them eating/drinking. The virus has to run it's course.

Try not to disturb scabs since this can cause them to spread.
I would sanitize the water according to this article.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/fowl-pox-prevention-treatmen/

Where are you located in the world? You may find that vaccinating for Fowl Pox would be beneficial.

 

[Mojo1967]

Poor little things!
Yes, that's Fowl Pox. It can be much harder on young chicks.

For the scabby lesions on the beaks, I'd try painting those with Iodine.
For the lesions on the eyes, you can dab a bit of Terramycin eye ointment.
The beak looks clear so far, the main thing is to keep them eating/drinking. The virus has to run it's course.

Try not to disturb scabs since this can cause them to spread.
I would sanitize the water according to this article.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/fowl-pox-prevention-treatmen/

Where are you located in the world? You may find that vaccinating for Fowl Pox would be beneficial.

Louisiana. I will definitely look into it.

 

[Mojo1967]

Louisiana. I will definitely look into it.

Thanks again for the information.

 

[Mojo1967]

That is obviously fowl pox. When pox scabs are around eyes as some of yours are, I would use some Terramycin or plain Neosporin ointment in the eyes twice a day. Sometimes in young birds the scabs can cover the nostrils, interfering with breathing.

Thanks for the information. I do and will use some Terramycin.