International Head Poof and Cheek Floof awareness day for silkies!

[Dowie]

I posted this story in another thread, and realised it's actually kinda important to pass on as widely as I can.

My silkie Button nearly drowned because she was so blind from her big hairy head puff and cheek floofs. We had a minor flood in our backyard, and I ran outside because I'd read silkies are 'dumb' (I only had just gotten her) and prone to drowning. It was very fortunate I did, because she stood stock still in the rising water while the other hens had moved to up into the bushes. The water was half way up her body. I picked her up and took her to higher ground, wondering how a hen could be so dumb.

I then realised she was terrified to move because she couldn't see her way out of the flood. The next day I cut her hair and she went from a 'dumb' and nearly inert chicken to a smart, sassy and highly mobile hen.

Before her hair cut, she was your classic bearded silkie, seemingly dumb as a post.




Here she is post hair cut. She's broody and mad as hell - I think the mohawk suits her! She was giving the whole yard a stink eye that day! So I'd like to encourage head poof and cheek floof trimming for free range silkies, just so they are safer.


I know she l


I know she looks kind ugly, but I think she's a lot happier. Here's another of her flapping her wings and being mad at the world.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I like chickens with a mohawk. At least she can see to get out of the rain.

 

[Dowie]

Well, she's broody now, so all she does is glare at anyone who comes near the coop. Silkies.

 

[NovaAman]

I had to trim my girls just so she could see food! I noticed she was losing weight, after I picked her up to give her treats cuz she was missing seeing them! Realised she was starving. I have to do it again soon. But yeah. Free ranged silkies really do need that kind of maintainance just for their safety. But... I wouldn't say they are dumb... Just challenged visually but .all that extra!

 

[Dowie]

Exactly, they aren't dumb, although I've read that a bit. It's because they just can't see. Some people solve the head poof problem by tying their hair back - it's soooo cute.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Awe, she's not an ugly bird. She's certainly a happy bird. Look at all that grass and flowers she gets to play in every day.

Thanks for sharing. I don't have Silkies but it's a good reminder to all chicken owners to watch your flock closely and identify and deal with possible situations.

 

[Dowie]

Thank you, I know I shouldn't say she's ugly - I can't help myself. She looks strangely prehistoric, like some sort of hairy spider! I'm so mean - I go outside and say 'Oh, Button - you are so ugly!" Fortunately she does not care...