Chooks with warts???

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

Hello all
I have an Australorp hen that started laying a month or so ago that seems to have what appears to be warts on her comb, 2 on her face and 1 under her beak. She keeps shaking her head and on the side the 2 warts are she keeps that eye closed. They don't appear to be stick fleas, just strange as I have not encountered that before. The ones on her comb seem to be at the tip with a little swelling
Any ideas of where to start?
Karon

Nrth Island · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:27 pm

Sounds like fowl pox

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

Thanks so much, yes, I looked it up and this is exactly what it is. One other hen has the symptoms now and after all the months of rain we have had here in the SE QLD the mozzies are just rampant. It is good to know that they will recover. Is there anything that can relieve the symptoms? I hate seeing her so miserable. I have a flock of 20. 1 rooster and 19 hens (Australorps) so I expect there will be more in the coming weeks!! doesn't rain but it poors

Nrth Island · **Posted:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:45 am

You can put some antiseptic on the sores it might help them heal faster

NSW Pheasants · **Posted:** Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:09 am

They should heal on there own in about 4 weeks, the good news is once they have had the pox they usually don't get it again

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

Thanks so much for that. I had noticed they had been sneezy for several weeks and when I read this (looking up the pox and photo's) I realised what was happening thanks to your posts. The egg production has been down too for the past 2 months to 4-9 eggs for 19 hens. 1 hen is pretty bad and closes one eye. I can see 2 others starting to get a spot or 2 on their lobes but most of them have only started laying in the past 3 months so being young hopefully they should recover well. You know I thought my flock was a goner, never seen if before with any of my back yard flocks. This is the first time I have had pure breds and I am rather attached. I have wanted australorps for years and finally they are laying then that happened I could have cried.
I wonder is this where the childhood virus of chicken pox comes from (not directly) but the name?
Karon

legbar crossing · **Joined:** Thu Apr 01, 2010 6:47 pm **Posts:** 7

I know its cold comfort but you are not alone I have had fowl pox too and it can look far worse than it is. Loss of egg production is normal with pox and they will come back on the lay. If you can take out the worst affected and insolate them would be a good idea. Good luck I hope all goes well in the next few weeks.

Herron · **Joined:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:30 pm **Posts:** 2

Yes I too have had the problem but I caught it quickly and took out the affected chickens so I only had 4 affected.

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

I was reading an article that said that they carry the virus for several weeks to months before the warts come out. Would this mean that like in kids some come out bad, some a couple and some not at all but once in contact with the virus they are already infected? The hen is separate but noticed 2 more get a spot each.
I introduced some new hens in January other than that we have a lot of wild pigeons and the odd crow but they tend to chase them. I am always on the look out for wild bird for fear of mites but nothing so far. I wondered if that is where the pox came in. Still getting 10-13 eggs a day at the moment even though 2 still haven't started to lay but are close. Spose if you are going to get it, you're going to get it!
Karon

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

Savlon Cream on the warts

Then Spray the rest of your fowl (and her) with Eacalyptus oil , Tea tee oil , or R.I.D. or Aerogaurd while the mozzies are about .

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