Feathers covering eyes?

[Cyber]

The other day we noticed one of our hens, Valentine, seemed to be having some minor vision troubles. We gave her a look and it doesn't seem like there's a problem with the eyes themselves, and she can focus well, so we're wondering if this might be the result of her facial feathers. How likely is this, and can we safely trim these feathers? (For reference, she's a Silkie-Araucana cross.)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Having to trim feathers from around the eyes is common.
You may find the video helpful.

 

[Cyber]

Thank you! I was a bit concerned about cutting the feathers under the eye since all of the tutorials I'd found had just focused on the feathers above.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! I was a bit concerned about cutting the feathers under the eye since all of the tutorials I'd found had just focused on the feathers above.

Hopefully you won't have any problems and you have a helper!

 

[K0k0shka]

Use very sharp scissors. And keep cutting them when they grow back. The breeders who shape these ridiculous breeds don't care about the welfare of the animals. It's all about the looks. Poor chickens end up functionally blind because all those feathers are in their faces (Polish too, not just silkies).

 

[SourRoses]

Use very sharp scissors. And keep cutting them when they grow back. The breeders who shape these ridiculous breeds don't care about the welfare of the animals. It's all about the looks. Poor chickens end up functionally blind because all those feathers are in their faces (Polish too, not just silkies).

I do agree with you in a way.... but, in defense of breeders, it's not like they can draw a line around the eyes and say "no feathers here". The choices are Muffs or no Muffs, and full or scraggly looking. Nature then has her say.