My chickens have dark warts and sores on their face, wattles and combs, whats wrong?
This condition is usually started from the bites of mosquitoes while they suck blood from the birds and inject a virus. The viral infection causes a disease called fowl pox. Mosquitoes enter the house in larger numbers in the autumn when temperatures begin to fall. The combs, wattles and face are the most exposed part of the body and a sore or lesion forms at each site where the mosquito removed blood. The best solution to the problem is to prevent it before it occurs. Conduct a good mosquito control program to prevent entry of the insects and use residual insect sprays to kill mosquitoes that stay in the house. Vaccinating birds also reduces the severity of the problem. Reducing the light intensity and use of antibiotic therapy may be helpful in reducing the severity. No antibiotic therapy is effective against fowl pox but medications may be effective for treating secondary bacterial infections and soothing the injuries. More information on this disease is available in the Diseases of
