Crested Chickens Inst it cruel?

[TheChiggens]

Hi guys
So I've have had a polish bantam for a couple of years now and a few things are coming to me.
One the are pretty funny looking birds. Also friendly. But there seems to be one flaw. The crested head.

Now, this makes things kinda hard for her. Because she can't see hens when they come up behind her so is continually being pecked in the head. I feel bad because she can barely see where she is going.
It seems slightly cruel even if it was bred for show. to have bred for that trait. Also, it seems to make her more easy for a predictor to scoop her up.

So what do people think about this? What's your experience or advice?
Thanks!

 

[featheredplanets]

I don’t think it’s cruel. Just trim the crest feathers.

The crest is the breed’s trademark though, so I think if you don’t like the crest, you shouldn’t buy a crested breed. I don’t mean this in a rude way but it just seems like an obvious answer to me. For example, if you don’t like Silkies, don’t buy Silkies, if you don’t like feather footed chickens them don’t buy breeds like Cochin’s and Brahma’s.

 

[redrooster99]

If she isn’t in a coop most of the time I would put her crest up with a rubber band. Than she can see normally.

 

[CatWhisperer]

I used zip ties on my cockerels and painters tape on my pullet (her bouffant was too short for the zip ties).

 

[TheChiggens]

Thanks guys.
also

The crest is the breed’s trademark though, so I think if you don’t like the crest, you shouldn’t buy a crested breed. I don’t mean this in a rude way but it just seems like an obvious answer to me.

Yes, that makes sense I haven't been buying them because of that. And I agree its there trademark. I don't like to have to cut that off.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I have silkies and just cut the fluff from around their eyes.

 

[Bullitt]

Hi guys
So I've have had a polish bantam for a couple of years now and a few things are coming to me.
One the are pretty funny looking birds. Also friendly. But there seems to be one flaw. The crested head.

Now, this makes things kinda hard for her. Because she can't see hens when they come up behind her so is continually being pecked in the head. I feel bad because she can barely see where she is going.
It seems slightly cruel even if it was bred for show. to have bred for that trait. Also, it seems to make her more easy for a predictor to scoop her up.

So what do people think about this? What's your experience or advice?
Thanks!

To be blunt, people do not give a darn if something is cruel. They will breed all kinds of crazy things -- dogs that can barely walk and breathe, cats with too many toes, and chickens that cannot see. If a chicken cannot see, it cannot protect itself and will be easy to pick on and will be more likely to get killed by predators. I think it is cruel to intentionally breed a chicken with feathers on its head that blocks its vision.

But people do not care. They will go right on breeding the silly things.

 

[TheChiggens]

Show not practical.