Cochin with deformed skull

[mattbhm]

We hatched cochins about 2 and a half weeks ago. At about two days old I noticed one holds his head weirdly and the back of his head looks a bit to large. It is hard like the rest of his skull. It is a lot more noticeable now, and it seems almost see-through when he stands under a light. He is as active as all the others, even a little bit more aggressive than the rest. Any idea what could have caused it or whether it will get worse?

(That is strawberry in the background, not blood.)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Certain breeds can have domed skulls, mainly crested breeds. I can't really see what you are seeing by your pictures, but I think it probably either has a deformity, or is it possibly a mix with something like a silkie? Not much you can do, but see how it develops.

 

[azygous]

That would be my guess as well. Mixed breed - part Silkie, if you happen to have any running around.

I grabbed the wrong blue egg several months back and ended up with a Cream Legbar/EE barnyard mix. It wasn't intentional, but she's a keeper.

 

[mattbhm]

We have hatched silkies before and we hatched a batch of polish at about the same time as these cochins. Also, I got them from a breeder that I believe only haze cochins. Can't really tell from the pictures, but it definitely looks more like a deformity. It almost looks like it is to wide in the back and to narrow in the front.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You will have to see if it survives and thrives, often those with head or brain injuries don't last long, but I never count anyone out until they stop kicking.