Silkies are sooo adorable and cute. Absolutely love all the fluff - I just think it's so funny. Hope to add some eventually, perhaps in spring or next fall. However, I'd also like to add some other LF breeds that I didn't get to this time around, such as Speckled Sussex and maybe some Wyandottes or even some different color Orps, so we will see. If I did add them though, I am thinking that I might find someone on BYC as I really love the crests, I mean, to me that's kind of the point and what makes them so hilarious. I may end up just starting out with more hatchery birds though, we'll see. I plan on free ranging my current LF chicks but may confine them, not sure yet, and the Silkies, depending on whether I get large, nice crested ones or not (how well they can see), and depending on how feisty they are will likely be confined in their own little coop and run but may possibly free range as well either with the others or separated. I had always planned on building a coop from scratch and then eventually when we got more using our current dog house for bantam breeds or ducks but now I am planning on using the dog house as the main coop once I expand and add on to it so I guess I will have to figure something else out if I get Silkies. They are so ridiculously cute and funny though so I can't wait until I can get them.
Although, also, how common is that vaulted skull thing? Seems so sad and almost cruel to breed them that way, much like brachycephalic (short nosed, smush faced, etc.) dogs and cats. People think they're so cute and I mean, I do love the actual breeds, but to me it's cruel and borderline abuse to breed something intentionally with health problems (especially breathing in brachys) or a hole in the skull, etc. just because it is "cute" or has the perfect crest or wins shows or whatever. Thankfully though, with some of the brachy dog breeds, there have been efforts to improve the breed. Pugs for one, in Germany they have "retro pugs" and they are working towards breeding them with longer snouts, a more loosely curled tail (supposedly the tight tail causes back problems), a little longer legs, etc. Etc. By I think selective breeding and maybe outcrossing with other breeds and they still have the same great Pug personality everyone loves, just in a healthier form, and I personally think that it's great that people are working towards healthier animals. I love some of the brachy breeds or other "unhealthy" animals but it does no one, especially not the animals, any good to continue to defend these breeding practices which is why I think that it is great. But sorry, I know I sort of got off topic there and that this thread is not about dogs or problematic breeding practices but rather cute Silkies BUT I believe I can tie it back to Silkies and chickens in general: My hope is that Silkies (and Polish?) too, and hopefully other unhealthy breeds as I'm sure there are others that exist, can also be bred towards healthier birds and perhaps maybe even outcrossed if necessary depending on how common this is while still retaining and achieving the charming personality and crest of the birds. Surely it can be done as many people seem to have non-vaulted Silkies. Though I guess it is hard to tell from a picture.
Although, also, how common is that vaulted skull thing? Seems so sad and almost cruel to breed them that way, much like brachycephalic (short nosed, smush faced, etc.) dogs and cats. People think they're so cute and I mean, I do love the actual breeds, but to me it's cruel and borderline abuse to breed something intentionally with health problems (especially breathing in brachys) or a hole in the skull, etc. just because it is "cute" or has the perfect crest or wins shows or whatever. Thankfully though, with some of the brachy dog breeds, there have been efforts to improve the breed. Pugs for one, in Germany they have "retro pugs" and they are working towards breeding them with longer snouts, a more loosely curled tail (supposedly the tight tail causes back problems), a little longer legs, etc. Etc. By I think selective breeding and maybe outcrossing with other breeds and they still have the same great Pug personality everyone loves, just in a healthier form, and I personally think that it's great that people are working towards healthier animals. I love some of the brachy breeds or other "unhealthy" animals but it does no one, especially not the animals, any good to continue to defend these breeding practices which is why I think that it is great. But sorry, I know I sort of got off topic there and that this thread is not about dogs or problematic breeding practices but rather cute Silkies BUT I believe I can tie it back to Silkies and chickens in general: My hope is that Silkies (and Polish?) too, and hopefully other unhealthy breeds as I'm sure there are others that exist, can also be bred towards healthier birds and perhaps maybe even outcrossed if necessary depending on how common this is while still retaining and achieving the charming personality and crest of the birds. Surely it can be done as many people seem to have non-vaulted Silkies. Though I guess it is hard to tell from a picture.
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lol
I just know from my own experience that my line of white silkies had no vaulted skulls in the early stages but occasionally they do pop up . I have 13 hatched this week and 1 has a vaulted skull. It's my observation that the poofier heads are more sought after in the U.S. I prefer my birds to be able to see without hindrance from an overly large bonnet. 
I can see why people like the crest though because to me it is very cute and rather hilarious but I do feel bad that they can't see. However, that said, I have heard some people trim the crest around the eyes/face?
