Pox? Losing feathers around eyes & necks

[ksRNmama]

I feel like I’ve been dealing with one issue after another with my flock in the last few months, and am currently finishing (and maybe restarting) treatment for coccidiosis and assorted worms.

I have a mixed age flock, including 17 8-10 wk chicks that seemed to have coccidiosis and I think it’s resolved, but some of my adult hens (about 25, assorted breeds) still have abnormal looking poop, which I’m still worried about.

Another issue I’ve noticed since long before we found out about the worms has been progressively worsening feather loss, mostly along the fronts of some of their necks, and around the eyes.

A few months ago we switched from traditional waterers to poultry nipples, so they get water down their necks, and I’ve noticed them picking at each others wet feathers, and I figured that was the cause. But I’m noticing really dry scaly skin around some of their eyes and on the skin on their faces. I’ve checked extensively for mites and parasites and see none.

Can someone please weigh in? Is this a form of pox? And if so should I vax my young birds?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

Looks like feather pecking/plucking to me - does not look like pox.

 

[ksRNmama]

Looks like feather pecking/plucking to me - does not look like pox.

So you think the nipple waterer neck mess is causing them to be hyper vigilant with each other’s wet feathers? This really all started when we switched systems. I noticed them pecking at one another’s necks when wet from drinking.
And what about the dryness and almost swelling around some of their eyes? Just want to make sure I’m checking all the boxes....thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Do they have plenty of room, and get out to free range each day? You can put out some of the othe types of waterers to see if it makes a difference. Also spend some time to see if you can catch any feather picking. They might want a little more protein in the diet if they are eating the feathers.