Buff there are two types of Pox dry and wet. The wet is not as common as the dry. In the dry the birds will have white warty looking bumps on the comb and wattles that get larger and then get bleeding black scabs. The disease can effect growth because if it is around the eyes the can't see to eat. Also will effect egg production. The pox virus survives for many months on scabs and feathers of birds that have it. There is no treatment and some birds will be lost by secondary infections or being unable to eat. It usually takes2-4 weeks to recover from but some birds will be carriers esp. During stress.
Wet Pox- not as common and affects the upper respiratory area. Speeds slowly expect in areas of lots of mosquitoes and will last 3-5 weeks per bird birds of all ages except newly hatched chicks. Affected birds will have the same whitish wart like bumps on the face but also goes down the wind pipe. As they get larger they turn yellow and cheesy and the birds will wheeze and have nasal and eye discharge. Spreading is the same as dry pox, and transmission for both types is though wounds and spreads by feathers, scabs from infected birds and also by mites, mosquitoes and wild birds. Might also spread from infected breeders to chicks through hatching eggs there by causing disease when infected birds are under stress. There is no vaccine for either type from what I know
This info was taken from the Chicken Health Handbook which is a great book to have on the bookshelf.
I have never heard of this disease in the flocks of anyone I know here in Western Canada but know they have problems with it in certain parts of the U.S and with people not researching the flocks they are purchasing from you never know.
Heather
Last edited by viczoe on Sat Mar 29, 2014 2:36 pm; edited 2 times in total
