Giving up on crested breeds..

[Badhbh]

All I wanted when I got chickens were top hats. They're funny. I wanted a flock of Phyllis Diller hair wearing silly looking chickens. The first batch of 3 that I got, I lost two in the dog massacre. From the one, I hatched some of the eggs that she laid with an EE sire. One made it, and we called her Tiny because she was just that. I ordered 3 silver laced Polish, 2 Houdans, and 2 Crevecouers from Ideal this fall. One had a slightly crossed beak, and I can't breed her, so she went to a friend. One Houdan started having seizures. The other Houdan just dropped dead for no apparent reason. I have the other Houdan in a carrier in the house, because it's just sitting, lethargic, and generally not thriving. Last night I found Tiny dead- once again, no apparent reason. And to top it all off, i'm missing a polish chick. I have NO idea where she is. I let them out to get some sun yesterday, and now she's gone.

So i'm down to one sickly Houdan, one Polish that seems fine, and the Crevecouers. It's not like i got diseased and the whole flock died- they're all totally unrelated things. I'm beginning to think it's an omen that I shouldn't keep crested chickens.

 

[Katy]

I'm not 100% sure if this is true or not, but I've always been told that crested breeds, whether it's chickens or ducks are much more prone to neurological issues such as brain injury and sudden death.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Katy, I believe its trues since they have vaulted skulls. That means the brains are not protected at the top of the skull. One bump on the head could do anything.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

My dh likes them so,I have tried Polish quie a few times!

they just died at different times for no reason & they came from different sources!

my last try was this summer!

It was like each day or so I would go out & have to take a dead one out!

after the first 2 died I bleach out tractor moved to completely different grass & it was good for week & it started again!

I think they are just weak!

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Did you have the polish with other chicks Rchicks? Sometimes another bird can peck the top and cause serious brain damage.

 

[Badhbh]

Mine are in genpop, so yes, it's possible they got a knock on the noggin.
Poor Tiny. She was a particular favorite

I guess i'll build a crested house when I build the Serama house.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

hypnofrogstevie
they were hatched & brooded with barred rock bantams & even though the BR weren't very nice to me I didn't see any pecking going on

but, I guess it could have been that (I guess it would only take a few times in the right spot!

Joanne

 

[lockedhearts]

I ordered 3 Houdans in APril from Ideal, I got 3 roosters, I traded one and kept 2, they are both doing, well rooster things with hens.
I keep mine, right now in a mixed flock and I have had no issues, well when I had both Houdans together there was some feather plucking.
My problem is finsing girls for them.

 

[herechickchick]

I have always had at least 1 polish chicken in my flock and they have always done well. I love them and I will always have them. I am sorry you have had such problems.

 

[Badhbh]

Well, I lost two crevecouers last night.
I give.