Fowl pox is a slow-spreading viral disease that causes lesions on unfeathered skin areas and/or mucous membranes of the oral cavity, larynx, or trachea in chickens.

The disease is caused by the avian poxvirus, which is divided into at least three strains or types: fowl poxvirus (FPV), which affects chickens and turkeys, pigeon poxvirus (PPV), which affects pigeons, and canary poxvirus (CPV), which affects various species of wild birds.

Each virus strain can only cause disease in specific bird species. Infection with pigeon pox virus, for example, does not affect chickens, and vice versa.

Other names for this disease include Avian Diphtheria, Bird Pox, Contagious Epithelioma, Poxvirus Infection, Poxvirus Avium, and Avian Pox.

Most mistakes some poultry farmers make is trying to inject their birds themselves, always consult your consultant for proper vaccination and the effectiveness of your vaccines on your birds depends largely on the proper vaccination measure used.

Some poultry farmers always experience this and some even tell me “I have given fowl pox vaccine to my birds but I will still see them having swollen eyes and combs with some black spots” What can you say about that? Well, there are three major possibilities for this problem; first, it may be that there was a vaccine break.

Second, it may be that the vaccine reconstitution was not properly done, for instance, I have seen someone who reconstituted a viral of 200 doses fowl pox vaccine with three litters of water. Funny isn’t it?

Well with this reconstitution method even you out there know that there is no way this vaccine will work and finally, it is not only fowl pox that presents signs like this among birds, you may also have other diseases like infections coryza at hands therefore be sure of the particular disease in question.

Back to farmers preferring to inject their birds by themselves, well you should be careful of injectables generally for if the drug decides to have negative reactions on the birds, you may not know the antidote. You should employ the service of an expert because it is safer that way.

And by the way, am not sure you have more than 200-500 birds because if you do have a large number of birds then think of injecting them yourself all alone? Like Seriously?

How to Easily Diagnose and Treat Fowl Pox

Fowl Pox Issues Among Birds and How to Prevent It

Flock owners, both new and veteran, will likely at some time in their fowl-keeping experience walk out to their coops and find birds that seem to suddenly have developed sores all over their combs, wattles, face, and legs and who may seem generally sick with no explanation.

This is never a pleasant experience for any poultry farmer, and it leaves many new chicken owners wondering, “What on earth happened to my birds, and what do I do to fix this?”

However, fowl pox (FP), a virus that affects chickens, turkeys, and other birds, will be recognized by a seasoned chicken owner.

Fowl Pox is an annoyance, but it’s also one of the simplest illnesses a flock owner can deal with with a little effort and a little knowledge.

Forms of Fowl Pox

Two different forms of fowl pox can occur in chickens–classified as a dry (cutaneous) form and wet (diphtheritic) form.

Cutaneous or “dry” pox form the cutaneous or “dry” pox form is the most common.

Typical pox lesions are small, wart-like growths on the skin of un-feathered areas (face, comb, wattles, eyelids, legs, and feet).

These appear as small, yellow eruptions that gradually grow in size.
Pox lesions will also change color as they grow in size, becoming dark brown, roughened, dry scabs.

The scabs will usually last about 2 to 4 weeks, after which they will loosen and drop off on their own, leaving smooth scar tissue underneath. These dry scabs contain the pox virus and are highly infectious to other flock members.

Clinical signs of pox lesions near the chicken’s eyes may begin as mild redness and irritation and quickly progress to swelling of the eyelid and the development of ulcerative lesions along the eyelid’s edges.

The eyelids are frequently sealed shut by caseous discharge or dry crusting scabs that fall off within two weeks.

While lesions form, affected chickens are at a higher risk of secondary infection.

To minimize the risk of infection, efforts should be made to help keep pox lesions clean.

The diphtheritic (wet pox) form of fowl pox is associated with higher mortality in birds.

Plaques (also known as yellow canker lesions) develop in the oropharynx (inner mouth and throat) of birds.

These can begin as tiny white nodules that eventually merge to form raised-yellow white cheesy patches.

If the lesions are in the upper digestive and respiratory tracts, the chickens may reduce their feed intake and have difficulty swallowing.

Other respiratory symptoms may appear depending on the severity, which can range from mild to severe.

Symptoms of Fowl Pox

The following are some of the most common symptoms of the various forms of Fowl Pox:

White, cigarette ash-like dots on non-feathered areas – eventually becoming wart-like and raised.
Scabs appear ashy or blackened. These are not to be confused with flattened marker-like black marks which are, instead, sores from fighting and injury.
Sores, sometimes purulent or infected, particularly around the eyelids and corners of the mouth and even the vent or legs.
Listlessness and other signs of the birds simply not feeling well.
Loss of appetite or thirst.
Decrease in egg production.
Breathing problems or respiratory distress (wet form).
Bumps and plaques of flattish yellow or white lesions within the mouth, especially around the roof of the mouth near the sinus slit (wet form).
When these lesions are removed, they leave small craters.

The Good and Bad News about Fowl Pox

Pox is like an obnoxious old acquaintance who one hopes never returns to the farm after its initial visit.

Unfortunately, Fowl Pox does tend to return but with limits.

Both the wet and dry forms of Fowl Pox are spread via mosquito bites or by the scabs which drop off and remain infectious for months.

The good news is that once birds contract Fowl Pox they will never have another case of that pox for the rest of their lives, rather like chickenpox in humans.

The risk of Fowl Pox can be reduced by pin-prick inoculation into the webbing of young birds’ wings or a thigh-prick in turkeys over 2-months of age.

The vaccine is readily available at most online poultry supply houses. The dry form tends to only last 2 weeks and resolves on its own.

The bad news is that while pox is active, the flock will be vulnerable to secondary infections – both cutaneous (the skin) and systemic (their whole system).

Without a concerted effort to boost immune systems, the wet form can be especially difficult, if not deadly.

The dry form, on the other hand, is relatively simple to work with.

Caring for a Pox-Infected Flock

When Pox infects the flock, the most pressing concern is keeping immune systems functioning optimally.

Depending on flock size, birds can and should be given vitamins that strengthen skin and mucous membrane defenses, improve respiratory and ocular health, and promote rapid healing.

Vitamins A, D, and E are marvelously handy any time a flock is ill particularly for pox cases. These oil vitamins are most effective in an oil form such as a liquid drop.

Vitamin B12 or the range of B vitamins should also be provided as they give the birds energy, willing birds to thrive, and foster a healthy appetite.

A bird that is not feeling well will not heal well, so assisting them in feeling better encourages healthy eating and drinking while reducing dehydration and malnutrition.

Individual birds can be given liquid baby vitamins, such as Poly-Vi-Sol for human babies, with just a few drops.

This product is inexpensive and easily found in the vitamin section of many stores in a no-iron-added form.

Many wonderful drenches and vitamin products are also produced specifically for poultry; simply read the label for vitamins A, D, E, and B.

Ideally, these vitamins should be given in a quickly-eaten treat or by drops individually, not in the water as sick birds can be reluctant to drink; however, the owner of a large flock may have to choose a water-soluble vitamin package and certainly will find them beneficial.

Feeding the Fowl Pox – Infected Flock

Care should be taken at this time not to change the basic diet the digestive tract, already vulnerable, is not shocked.

That being said, some foods provide nutrients that help jump-start healing to supplement the regular diet.

Boiled and crushed eggs, for example, are a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that truly provide the building blocks for cells to replace damaged, sick cells.

The nutrition in an egg is concentrated, which can be beneficial when birds aren’t eating as much as they should.

Fortunately, even when sick, most birds find this food very appealing.

Mashed egg yolk also provides a perfect hiding place for liquid vitamins. Adding a little chick starter-grower to the mix (less than 10%) can also boost protein and overall nutrient levels.

Water quality is particularly important to a flock affected by pox. Birds should always remain hydrated and do their best with clean, fresh, untreated water.

Medicating the Fowl Pox – Infected Flock

Fowlpox is a virus and cannot be treated with any antibiotics (which are all designed to fight bacteria not viruses); however, secondary infections are common with Fowl Pox.

For the dry form, triple antibiotic ointments and creams can be priceless in treating external sores. Dotting troublesome sores with an iodine-soaked cotton bud can reach deep into the core of these sores, fighting bacteria and sterilizing in areas other than the eyes.

The regular triple-antibiotic ointment can be used even in the corners of the eyes and mouth as long as the ointment does not contain painkillers.

In the case of wet-pox, it is rarely necessary or effective to treat with a systemic antibiotic as respiratory problems are caused by viral lesions. If severe respiratory distress happens, a veterinarian should be consulted.

In the meantime, products like VetRx can help soothe the irritated airways and help birds to breathe and feel somewhat better.

Husbandry for Healing and Prevention

When possible, fresh air and sunshine always help birds to breathe and feel better as well as help the body fight illness with more vigor.

A change of bedding after the disease has passed may help reduce the number of infective scabs present.

Keeping mosquito populations under control by preventing standing water is always beneficial.

In the long run, managing a flock with FP is mostly an exercise in watchfulness, husbandry, prevention, and of course patience!

Given enough time and effort, a well-managed flock will usually see few to no casualties, and the owner can breathe a sigh of relief that this batch of birds, at the very least, will never be infected with pox again.