HELP!!!!! Avian Pox in my hens!

[Jennieintex]

I went out to collect eggs from my hens today and noticed that their combs are covered in white and black warts. (Curt had been out there the last few days and he doesn't notice anything, so no telling when it started) I came in and did a little research and determined, without much doubt, that they have Avian Pox. I read that it in no way affects humans, some chickens recover from it completely much like people recover from, well, Chicken Pox, and that if a chicken dies it's usually from a secondary infection caused by the weakening of the immune system.

Has anyone on the GS ever dealt with this before? Did your chickens recover? What can I do to help them recover? Will the virus live on in their coop? (I let them free-range every other day, but they spend a lot of time in the coop) Curt's ready to turn the kids loose with their bows for some live practice, but I'm not ready to give up on my hens. Any help is very appreciated.

[keep]

Did they catch them from Curt?

[curtintex]

Did they catch them from Curt?

They've got Avian Pox.....Not AWESOMENINJAVITIS

[DorothyNotKeegan]

Now that's funny!!!!!

[Tuffbroadhead]

I would say just let it run its course. We have had plenty of chickens over the years and the only problems we have had were Foxes and snakes getting to them and not infections yet.

Now that I know Curt has a chicken hunting fetish I will keep him away from my chickens next time he comes out!!

[kwperry]

The condition you described is pretty characteristic of fowl pox. The lesions that you see on the comb are referred to as "dry pox". These include all nodules on the bird's skin surface. These are temporary lesions that are purely a cosmetic problem. Other "wet pox" lesions may form in the birds digestive or respiratory tract and cause complications. If these lesions become too large or too numerous, they may prevent the bird from eating, drinking, or breathing normally.

If one of your chickens has it, it is very likely that they will all develop it, as it is spread by contact with the crusts from the infected bird's pox nodules. Biting insects also spread the infection.

Fowl pox symptoms are only temporary, and will eventually go away. Your hens may slow down or stop laying altogether for the time being, but will be back to normal before too long. After the infection has run it's course, it would be wise to disinfect thoroughly to make sure the virus doesn't stick around in the coop. You can't do anything to treat Fowl Pox once you've already got it, so you just have to wait it out. It rarely causes death, so you should be alright. Like you mentioned, Fowl Pox may weaken the immune system and open the door for secondary infection. If you want to you could give some sort of antibiotic to combat that.