Attention all polish chicken owners...when and how should I trim crests?

[FattySmough]

Hello!

I have a 11 week old buff laced polish and a 12 week old white crested black polish. They are very friendly and very pretty, but there's one problem...they can't see! I want to at least trim the buff laced polish, as her crest is the fullest and she has a beard further obstructing her vision. She always gets lost when the birds go out into the yard. However, I'm not sure if it's safe trim her crest yet. I've heard that feathers that are cut too early can bleed and leave the chicken in a very dangerous situation, and I would rather not have to deal with that. I also don't want to hurt her eyes with the scissors.

Anyways, how and when should I trim their crests? I don't want to trim anymore than I need to, just enough for them to see. Should I wait until they are a bit older? Any advice is appreciated.

My polish chickens:

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see no actively growing feathers. Those would be encased in a feather sheath. You should be safe to trim. I always trimmed mine after the molt every year. Had to do it multiple times as they always had a few that grew out. I used to trim mine fairly short since they free ranged. Just take your time and be careful of the comb. Trim again as necessary.

 

[FattySmough]

I see! I will attempt to trim their crests later today. The black chicken actually has a few feathers still growing on the back of her crest, but I will just avoid those. Thanks for the help.

 

[Living that chicken life]

I see! I will attempt to trim their crests later today. The black chicken actually has a few feathers still growing on the back of her crest, but I will just avoid those. Thanks for the help.

Question. Did you polish the black one end up being a male? Thank you for your time I'm trying to learn how to sex them by their crested and yous had the rocker look so b I was told that was boy. Girl was smoother like the light one

 

[FattySmough]

Question. Did you polish the black one end up being a male? Thank you for your time I'm trying to learn how to sex them by their crested and yous had the rocker look so b I was told that was boy. Girl was smoother like the light one

Nope! Both of mine ended up being female. I hear that polish are rather tricky to sex sometimes. As far as I know crests aren't a reliable method of sexing them until they are close to maturity.

 

[LittleMiss92]

Hello!

I have a 11 week old buff laced polish and a 12 week old white crested black polish. They are very friendly and very pretty, but there's one problem...they can't see! I want to at least trim the buff laced polish, as her crest is the fullest and she has a beard further obstructing her vision. She always gets lost when the birds go out into the yard. However, I'm not sure if it's safe trim her crest yet. I've heard that feathers that are cut too early can bleed and leave the chicken in a very dangerous situation, and I would rather not have to deal with that. I also don't want to hurt her eyes with the scissors.

Anyways, how and when should I trim their crests? I don't want to trim anymore than I need to, just enough for them to see. Should I wait until they are a bit older? Any advice is appreciated.

My polish chickens:

We trim ours all the time. We get about 5mm off the skin and trim from the edge of the eye to 1cm out wood. If we don’t they walk into things and tend to isolate themselves and not eat as much because they can’t see.

 

[POULTRYLOVER M]

Can I trin the polish chicks once they come in the mail. I read that their crests can trap heat and stop them from eating and drinking. I have had a lot of polish chicks in the past and I don't want them all to die like they usually do. Of twenty 3 made it. I was wondering if the other chicks had to do with it. Any input when be nice.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Can I trin the polish chicks once they come in the mail. I read that their crests can trap heat and stop them from eating and drinking. I have had a lot of polish chicks in the past and I don't want them all to die like they usually do. Of twenty 3 made it. I was wondering if the other chicks had to do with it. Any input when be nice.

Do not trim their chick fluff. That's not why they might die. Some reasons are too hot, too cold, or being depleted if they were shipped.

Always provide either an electrolyte in the water the first day or two, or brown sugar can work if you don't have an electrolyte, one teaspoon in a quart of warm water to get their blood sugar up.

Always make sure the water is warmer for the first few days, and you check your brooder temperature with a thermometer. Also place some shiny glass rocks in the food and water to attract them.

I raised a batch of polish last year. All did well. I only started to trim the crests as the grew, so they could see.

 

[POULTRYLOVER M]

Do not trim their chick fluff. That's not why they might die. Some reasons are too hot, too cold, or being depleted if they were shipped.

Always provide either an electrolyte in the water the first day or two, or brown sugar can work if you don't have an electrolyte, one teaspoon in a quart of warm water to get their blood sugar up.

Always make sure the water is warmer for the first few days, and you check your brooder temperature with a thermometer. Also place some shiny glass rocks in the food and water to attract them.

I raised a batch of polish last year. All did well. I only started to trim the crests as the grew, so they could see.

Thank you for answering my questions!