Do you Trim Head feathers on Polish chickens?

[ProfCraig]

We have four young Polish chickens that were given to us. They will soon be integrated with the larger flock of older chickens and we are worried that since they can’t see very well—and are skittish because of that— they will suffer in the pecking order process.

We have large layers—no pets or show chickens. Do you trim the head feathers back on Polish to help them see better?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I used to for mine. The laced varieties seem to need it more often than the white crested varieties. Most polish are a bit skiddish. Many do act less hysterical after a trim.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would. They can't see trouble coming if they are to fluffy up top.

Something to watch for.....for some reason non crested birds find those crests irresistible for pulling and plucking. They can inflict fatal pecks to the head since the reason crested are crested is an open skull.

 

[SueT]

I am following as I have a Spitzhauben with an abnormally large floofy crest and her vision is definitely impaired. She does let me handle her.
For those who do cut it, how much do you cut?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Personally, I don't. Don't see the point in getting crested breeds if you don't want them to have a crest

 

[21hens-incharge]

While I had Polish I found trimming around the eyes was enough so they could see. I trimmed pretty close there leaving between 1/4 and 1/2 inch in length. The top poof got to stay.

 

[RainbowHen]

I am following as I have a Spitzhauben with an abnormally large floofy crest and her vision is definitely impaired. She does let me handle her.
For those who do cut it, how much do you cut?
View attachment 2400278

I cut until I can see the eyeball

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would remove nearly the whole crest down to a small ball proof. They always grow out a few feather, but it tends to stay smaller. Sometimes I had to trim a couple of times after the molt.

 

[SueT]

since the reason crested are crested is an open skull.

Wait, really?
Well I found this:
Crests seem to be closely associated with vaulting - meaning the defect of an open skull. Something about the fact that the skull is open stimulates the feathers to grow that way. If you look at the opening in the skull of a good Spitzhauben, it just has a little slit in the skull where the crest will grow.Jan 1, 2011
From this BYC thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/vaulted-skulls.435248/

So this would mean my birds with smaller crests have smaller openings, but poor Margarita pictured above has a larger opening. Well since no one picks on her, and she can see, tho not as well as the others, I'll leave her be.

 

[Allthefloofs]

Yes, mostly because we introduced ours as a single chicken to a 6 chicken flock and she is pretty bananas anyway. It helps her a lot, and because of it she is not the lowest on the pecking order, nor can she be cornered. She still has a lot of crest, but she can see just fine.