Fowl Pox in Chickens: What Are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatments?

Seeing your chickens having unusual bumps like pox on their combs or wattles is upsetting. It could be a sign of fowl pox caused by a DNA Pox virus! Your chickens may have trouble breathing or they may look tired, too.

So, how to treat Fowl Pox in Chickens? Owners or vets can give them a special shot called a vaccine. It teaches their bodies how to fight off the virus. Besides, you can keep the coop clean as there is no specific treatment for such conditions! But they’ll heal anyway with the proper care.

Expecting to see them healthy and lively again? Learn how you should give the vaccine and let the pox go away!

What Causes Fowl Pox in Chicken?

Fowl Pox is a sickness that chickens can get from a group of viruses called Avipoxviruses.

As people were expecting to know Is fowl pox viral or bacterial? Well, it’s a viral disease. It’s caused by a germ called the fowlpox virus. Which is a kind of virus with two strands of DNA.

These viruses are part of a big family of viruses. The Poxviridae, which can cause similar diseases in other animals too, like smallpox in humans.

Avipoxviruses go after chickens or birds. So, it makes their skin and the inside parts of their mouth sick. This leads to spots and other signs that show a bird is not feeling well.

There are a few ways Fowl Pox can spread among chickens:

1. Mosquitoes: The first problem is if a mosquito bites a chicken that has Fowl Pox. If they bite another chicken after biting the chicken with fowl pox, the second chicken gets the virus.
2. Direct Contact: Chickens can also get Fowl Pox from touching each other. It’s especially if they have cuts or scrapes, or from rough places. It can be from their coop or during fights.
3. Breathing it in or Eating it: Chickens can breathe in the virus from the air. So, is fowlpox airborne? Yes, it is! Also, chickens may eat something that has the virus on it. This can make them get a worse kind of chicken pox.

Fowl pox does not come in one type. It comes in two types –

• Dry Fowl Pox: This kind of causes bumps and scabs on parts of the chicken. It’s where there are no feathers, like their legs or beak. It’s mostly spread by bugs like mosquitoes or by touching infected things.
• Wet Fowl Pox: This is the more serious kind! It causes sore spots inside a chicken’s mouth and throat. So, it makes it hard for them to eat or breathe. Chickens can catch this by breathing in the virus or eating food with the virus.

Both types of Fowl Pox make chickens feel really bad. They might not want to eat, could feel sad, might not grow as well, and hens might lay fewer eggs.

So, can a chicken survive fowl pox? Yes, most chickens can survive fowl pox.

How Do I Know If My Chicken Has Fowl Pox? 3 Clinical Signs and Symptoms!

Worried if the chickens have fowl pox? Here are the key signs and symptoms to look for –

1. Skin Lesions

The most common sign is the appearance of raised, wart-like bumps. You may see that on your chicken’s unfeathered areas. These bumps, often called pox lesions, typically appear on the:

• Comb
• Wattles
• Eyelids
• Legs and feet

These lesions start small and yellow. Gradually it grows larger and turns brown or black.

2. Respiratory Issues

If the fowlpox virus infects the upper respiratory tract, your chicken might experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Gasping
• Wheezing sounds

3. Other Signs

Loss of appetite and weight loss are common in both dry and wet fowlpox. Chickens with eye lesions might have swollen eyelids.

So, can fowl pox make a chicken blind? Yes, chickens may face temporary blindness due to scabbing.

But wait! Can Fowl Pox Spread to Humans? Fowlpox is not a zoonotic disease. So, it only affects birds, like chickens. It cannot spread to humans or other animals.

How Do You Treat Fowl Pox in Chickens? 6 Prevention and Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no specific cure or treatment for Fowl Pox in chickens. However, there are several approaches to improve the chances of recovery. 

1. Helping Your Chicken Feel Better

Give your chickens water that has special salts in it (electrolytes). It’s to keep them from getting too thirsty. It’s especially true if they’re not eating or drinking well.

Offer food that’s easy to swallow, like mushy feed. Try the idea if they have trouble eating.

Make sure they have a warm, comfy spot to rest. This helps them fight off the virus. If they have scabs or sores, clean these areas carefully to avoid other infections.

2. Antibiotics Help

A vet might give antibiotics. It’s not to cure Fowl Pox but to stop other sicknesses from taking advantage. The problem is pox sores!

3. Vaccinate and Stopping Before It Starts

The best way to stop Fowl Pox is with a vaccine. In places where fowlpox is common, chickens and turkeys should get a vaccine. They should get a vaccine made from a weakened form of the virus.

This vaccine is usually given to them when they’re very young. It’s like a few weeks after they hatch.

So, how do you mix the fowl pox vaccine? Mixing the vaccine only be done by a trained veterinarian or professional. They will have the expertise and knowledge to ensure the vaccine is mixed correctly.

How many doses of the fowl pox vaccine are required? The number of doses needed depends on the specific vaccine. Also, it depends on the age of the chickens. Generally, chicks receive one or two doses.

Where do you inject the fowl pox vaccine? The fowl pox vaccine is typically administered subcutaneously. It means injected under the skin. The most common injection sites are:

• Wing web
• Thigh

At what age are chickens vaccinated for fowl pox? Vaccination timing can vary slightly depending on the vaccine. However, chickens are typically vaccinated at one day old or between 4-6 weeks of age.

Sometimes, they need another dose of the vaccine when they’re a bit older, around 12 to 16 weeks old.

Note: Consulting your veterinarian is crucial to determining the most appropriate vaccination schedule.

4. Fowl Pox Treatment Using Toothpaste

There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that toothpaste. But some of the owners found positive feedback.

Some chicken owners have observed that applying toothpaste to the scabs can help dry them out. This may lead to scabs falling off sooner.

See the video to get more clear insight about the treatment!

5. Keep the Coop Clean

Keeping your chicken coop clean is very important to stop the virus from spreading. Here’s what you can do:

Clean the coop often to get rid of chicken poop, uneaten food, and trash. This helps keep bugs away and stops germs from growing.

Make sure the coop is dry because of mosquitoes. It can spread the sickness. Like to lay eggs in wet places! No wet spots mean fewer mosquitoes.

Get rid of any water that’s just sitting around. You can also use bug sprays or traps that are safe for chickens to keep insects away.

6. Isolate or Separate the Chicken

If you get new chickens, keep them away from your other chickens for a few weeks.

If any chicken gets Fowl Pox, move them away from the others. It’ll help to stop the virus from spreading. Watch these sick chickens closely and follow your vet’s advice.

Remember, veterinarians can give the best preventative solution for chicken pox!

For more natural treatments, the following video is a gift for poultry enthusiasts.

How Long Does Fowl Pox Last?

The duration of Fowl Pox in chickens can vary depending on several factors. So, check out what you need to know about the time of such virus –

More severe cases with extensive lesions will naturally take longer to overcome. Younger chicks and chickens with compromised immune systems take longer to recover. Secondary bacterial infections can complicate the healing process.

However, the most common lesion typically dries out, scabs over, and falls off within 2-4 weeks. After this period, the skin underneath the scab usually heals well.

Will Chicken Pox Kill Chickens?

Chickenpox can make chickens sick, but usually, it doesn’t kill healthy adult chickens. However, there are some situations when it can be more dangerous:

• Young chicks: Baby chicks have weaker immune systems. So, they can die from fowl pox complications like severe infections.
• Weak chickens: If a chicken is already sick with another illness or is stressed, it’s s problem. In that condition, fowl pox can be too much for them to handle.
• Wet Pox: This is a kind of fowl pox that affects the inside of the mouth and throat. It can make it hard for chickens to breathe. It’s even can cause death!

Related Articles:

• Treating Winter Frostbite in Chickens
• Reasons and Treatments for Water Belly in Chickens

FAQs

You may check out some related queries about chicken pox. I hope you’ll get something new.

Final Section

Dealing with fowl pox can be a challenge, but don’t fret! With the right care and treatment, our chickens can bounce back stronger than ever. Remember to give them their vaccines, keep their coop clean, and give them vaccines.

Staying alert, and listening to our vet’s advice can make it easier to prevent the virus! And don’t forget to isolate the feathered friends when they have this virus. Although it won’t spread to humans, it can go to other chickens. Be mindful and take proper care!