Foul pox

[rick]

Looks like Teabag now has foulpox. I've noticed a black scab with a white edge over the past few days and this morning she is fluffed up, phased out and generally looking unwell.
I understand its a virus that takes a few weeks to beat off through immunity and there's no direct treatment?
Is there any particular tonic or supplement to help her trough it? Should I bring her indoors?

 

[chrismahon]

We had a cockerel with suspected fowl pox Rick. We tried all manner of treatments on a big scab on his comb (initially caused by fighting), none of which worked. It just disappeared when he was moved to France and the Wyandottes he was with in England were separated. Always been a mystery because there was never any evidence of pecking, so perhaps it was the stress of dealing with three squabbling Wyandottes and three squabbling Orpingtons? As you know, stress brings on all sorts of problems because it depresses the immune system, so anything you can do to minimise stress, be it weather or companions, has got to help. Problem will be with re-introduction and it may flare up again.

The articles I read from America said it was fatal and the bird should be culled. Not sure if theirs is the same virus though, as ours may be much milder in effect.

Are you sure this isn't a pecking injury that has got infected? Basil's scab was a brown colour and just grew over more of his comb without reason. We tried gentian violets, tea tree cream and others( which I can't remember), none of which had any effect whatsoever. In fact I seem to remember the gentian violets caused the scab to grow!

Avoid any tonic like Nettex Nuitridrops, because they are an emergency treatment and have sugars in the mix (for an instant energy boost) which can promote the growth of bad bacteria in the crop and intestines. I'd just give her a rearers pellet mash, which she should enjoy far more than dried pellets and she should gorge on giving her all the energy she needs.

 

[rick]

Thanks Chris,
She's laid her egg this morning and is looking more perky. The American version sounds different - everything I've read says rarely fatal unless the wet sort that attacks the inner lining of the thought.
It has been cold here and a couple of days ago they stayed out in the rain though they had dried off by nighttime.
The scab is on the back of her comb and looks to me like it might of started from an over excited peck when feeding.
I've bought some poultry spice (no sugar just minerals and herbs) and some Vaseline for their combs.

 

[rick]

I meant to say "throught' (can't spell it but less avant-garde
I've got some growers mash left over I think.

 

[Poultryman]

You can vaccinate the bird even if they have fowlpox. That's the only way to avoid it spreading to other flocks. This vaccination is best combined with antibiotics like if a vet specify it for u.

 

[rick]

Thanks Poultryman. I've got the phone number for our local hen welfare vet. If it gets worse I'll take her for a visit. I think vets here only order vaccine in bulk for large flocks and my birds missed their treatment because they were hatched at home.