[welshthistle]

wondered wether anyone can help! one of my chickens has black scaby areas on her crown,otherwise seems healthy eating,drinking etc  No sign of mites.She is broody at the moment.I have two other chickens but there crowns are fine at the moment.Havent seen the other two chickens pecking her but could be a possibility.Please let me know if you know what this could be.many thanks

leanne

[henamoured]

Not an expert - hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon, but I think it might be a fungal infection.
Think vets prescribe nystatin - an antifungal ointment.
You could try crushed garlic cloves in a bit of water or a strong infusion of sage as natural antifungal remedies first - both wiped on 2-3 times daily. If no improvement after 2-3 days might be best to see vet?

[joyfull]

if she is broody and has decided to sit tight in the nest box the others could be pecking her to get her to move over when they want to lay. You either need to remover her from the nest box and into her own broody coop with some fertile eggs (if you want chicks - but remember at least 50% will be cockerels) or break her out of this habit by removing her from the nest box every time she goes in or get something like a dog cage and place her in that with food and water.

[Sassy]

Please do check as already suggested for any type of infection but the marks may be dirt - they were on my cockerel!