I have someone coming to pick up my roos shortly. My father brought this one to me to give to the women. Can anyone tell me what this is on dads roo? It is whiteish in color and looks like a wart or somthing. Any ideas? I dont want to send it with the others if its something of a disease. I dont want it near my chickens either>
Emergency What is this growth???
Oops here is the pic
Another...
It doesn't look typical--but it could be fowl pox--often not very serious. Can you find any other markings on his comb or wattles--maybe legs and feet? Dark spots or grey growths?
Everything else looks clear. Just that growth. My dad is color blind and never noticed it. I called him to ask how long its been there and he said he had no idea!! I dont want to send him with the others if you think it could be contagious to any others.
Fowl Pox
Synonyms : chicken pox (not to be confused with chicken pox in humans; the human disease does not affect poultry and vice versa), sore head, avian diphtheria, bird pox
Species affected : Most poultry -- chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, psittacine, and ratites -- of all ages are susceptible.
Clinical signs : There are two forms of fowl pox. The dry form is characterized by raised, wart-like lesions on unfeathered areas (head, legs, vent, etc.). The lesions heal in about 2 weeks. If the scab is removed before healing is complete, the surface beneath is raw and bleeding. Unthriftiness and retarded growth are typical symptoms of fowl pox. In laying hens, infection results in a transient decline in egg production (see Table 1 ).
In the wet form there are canker-like lesions in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and trachea. The wet form may cause respiratory distress by obstructing the upper air passages. Chickens may be affected with either or both forms of fowl pox at one time.
Transmission : Fowl pox is transmitted by direct contact between infected and susceptible birds or by mosquitos. Virus-containing scabs also can be sloughed from affected birds and serve as a source of infection. The virus can enter the blood stream through the eye, skin wounds, or respiratory tract. Mosquitos become infected from feeding on birds with fowl pox in their blood stream. There is some evidence that the mosquito remains infective for life. Mosquitos are the primary reservoir and spreaders of fowl pox on poultry ranges. Several species of mosquito can transmit fowl pox. Often mosquitos winter-over in poultry houses so, outbreaks can occur during winter and early spring.
Treatment : No treatment is available. However, fowl pox is relatively slow-spreading. Thus, it is possible to vaccinate to stop an outbreak. The wing-web vaccination method is used for chickens and the thigh-stick method for turkeys older than 8 weeks.
Prevention: Fowl pox outbreaks in poultry confined to houses can be controlled by spraying to kill mosquitos. However, if fowl pox is endemic in the area, vaccination is recommended. Do not vaccinate unless the disease becomes a problem on a farm or in the area. Refer to the publication PS-36 (Vaccination of Small Poultry Flocks) for more information on fowl pox vaccinations.
Here are pictures that do resemble your Dad's roo. When he have had it, it has been so mild that except for a few growths and scabs on their combs and wattles, the chickens have not shown any symptoms and have continued laying normally. It is endemic here and, because it is so mild, we don't vaccinate. There are more severe strains and the dreaded "wet" form that affects their mucus membranes and needs treatment.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.backyardchickens.com/images/diseases/Pox-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-diseases-AvianPox.html&h=283&w=260&sz=33&tbnid=8gV7ZiK-KfuDJM::&tbnh=114&tbnw=105&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfowl%2Bpox%2Bpictures&hl=en&usg=___X8pBrr0QtUjiQU6P7sGrbUVw9A=&ei=6unYSby1Lpm6tgPK5-SfCg&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image
So, is culling recommended? I just called dad and he is coming over to take him back and cull him.
Not unless you would cull your kids for chicken pox:0)
Really, if one of the chickens shows symptoms, they have all probably been exposed--or will be by mosquitoes. The scabs and dust remains infective for a very long time. Unless you have the wet form or the chickens are very seriously affected, I wouldn't cull. Like chicken pox, once they have had it, they are immune. Sort of like being vaccinated naturally.
I would keep him away from your chickens and not give him away till he clears up. But he will probably be fine if it is just fowl pox. They vaccinate commercially because it can cause a temporary drop in egg production. But again there are more severe strains, and your Dad should keep an eye on his flock. It takes a long time to spread, and not all the chickens will come down with it...but about two weeks you may see a new case.
It worries me that he has no idea how long the growth has been there. I feel awful.. He just came and got him. He looked sad. He said he was not going to do anything until Kathy gets home. So, the marks can clear up? That big honkin' bump will fall off?? My stomach is twisty because I have never delt with anything like this. I dont want to see him culled. I will call dad back and tell him to hold onto him for a bit. I just dont know enough about this. Thanks for all your help you guys! Great info.
Ewww... that doesn't look like pox to me.. An abscess? Either way, I'm sure the people getting him wouldn't want it around their flock.
I bet if it bursts, it will heal and that will be the end of it..
I am in no way qualified as a pro to say that.. it's just a gut feeling.
Might wanna ask Silkiechick..
I didn't think so at first either, ZZ. But looking at some pictures, it is not unlike them. I was thinking abcess at first too, but she said it was warty--which sounds more like pox. Either way I wouldn't cull him just for that. Unless it gets worse or other chickens start showing similar symptoms with greater illness.
Ya, I hope he doesnt cull him either. I am going to call him again in awhile when I think he is home. He just left with him. Kathy wants to check it out before they do anything anyway. :( I hate dissapointing dad. He was looking forward to him going to the farm with mine. I just dont want him with mine. I feel selfish but I dont want the farm to see him and cull them all as unwanted and possible threats. He is not sick other than that big honker of a thing under the comb. He is a lot more agressive than mine though.
Looks more to me like he poked his snoot into something and got poked back. His comb and wattle color is really good. I suppose it could be a perfectly positioned pox, but...wouldn't cull for it unless it turned into something stinky and awful though.
Sew : Why are you getting rid of your Roos? Are you getting rid of all of them? Just wondered. What if Tim is a Roo? What then? Haystack
It was a hard week. Dominique was attacked by Duke (my favorite roo). He has managed to injure two of my girls (hens) also. So, I had to make a decision. I decided to get rid of three roos. Duke, Humphrey (aka Potpie) and Uno. I dont think I will keep any large roos anymore. They are only doing what they are supose to do by protecting the flock. If Tim is a boy and any of the others, I will keep them. They are bantys and smaller. Dominique will not be so afraid to go in with them. Duke cut her leg good. He wouldnt stop chasing her either. I will miss them especailly Duke who thought he was a dog. hehehe He still comes when I call him. :D They are going to a farm where they will be well cared for. They assured me no freezer camp. So I am happy.
I think your dad's roo is an enlightened roo and that's his third eye...
=0)
it doesn't look like fowl pox to me either. it looks like a abcess but could be like a belded feather or a clogged pore or he ran into a piece of wire or something. that black dot in the middle looks like a core. i'd not cull him either he is a handsome fellow and it doesn't look contagous from what i can see of it.
i would take a q-tip with rubbing alcohol and clean around the spot. then use one with vasciline and go around it just incase it is spreadable so it stays off his other skin to protect it just incase. then pop it and useing like cotton, tissue tp or something and soak up what leaks out of it and squeeze it. then i'd use another one with alcohol again to clean it again real good. i don't think it will come back after that but i honestly don't know for sure what it is. then i'd watch it for awhile and see what it does and if it comes back. if he is a roo who spooks easily wrap him in a bath towel to keep his feet and wings under control and have 2 people do it one to hold him still and one to do the rest so it is easier for all of ya.
hope that helps please keep us posted how he is,
silkie
WOW Sew! I'm really sorry about duke attacking and hurting Dom. I knew you said he had gone after her, but, I did not know she was injured. I'm really sorry and hope she is not afraid of them long term.
Sometimes Roos are so unpredictable, My Americana is just fine with one of his counterparts, and a Millie Fleur, He also tolerates my small lakenvelder, (she's a snot). But I put one of my Andalusians in with him and it was an absolute war. When he finally caught her he tore a large chunk out of the back of her neck. I was finally able to rescue her and she is now on the mend. As soon as I took her out he (roo) turned immediately back into that big docile baby. He is a little tough on the girls feathers when mating so I still limit his time with them. Other than that He is a perfect gentleman. What type of a Roo is Duke?
Thank you Silkie.. even though it's not my roo.. I learned something! I would never have thought of using Vaseline to protect the skin!! Great info..
Thanks for the info Silkie, I will call dad when I think he may be up. I will pass it on to him. That thing was huge.
Jay, I did not see it blink at all so I am not sure about it being a third eye. hehehe
Haystack, Yes I am very upset about Duke. He was still a big baby with me but the kids couldnt go near the coop. He still will not eat breed off the ground (only from my hand). I dont think anyone at the new farm will hand feed the big boy though. I am still sad. He is a Brahama mix. Normally docile temperment. Not sure why he cwitched gears, just nature I guess. He didnt know what to do when the guy put him in a cage. At least the family is nice and love animals.
:)
That really makes it tough because you must protect the family, but your torn in your heart from some action on the animals part. We can't often determine just why the behaviour but you surely did the right thing. How did Dom respond to getting rid of Uno? I know there was a special connection because he was one of your own hatchlings. I sure hope you will keep us posted on Papa's bird, I have never seen anything like that. Hay