My Polish Journey

[SwampPrincessChick]

I would love tips on trimming polish faces up around the eyes. I have 3 chamois polish chicks, 7 weeks. The 2 cockerels can see fine but the hen nor so! I had my first go this afternoon with nail clippers and scissors... she relaxed a lot ad actually fell asleep most of the time. But it was pretty terrifying forme every time she jumped awake like they do! Would love tips!

It is easier to trim their crest when you have two people. Do you have anyone who could hold the Polish while you trim the crest? It seems like Polish crests grow fast for their first year of life, but slow down once they get over a year. I have not trimmed my Polish's crests in a while because of that. Be sure to trim the feathers that are sticking out of the sides as well, those can also block some of the vision, which is not good when a predator attacks.

I am talking about these.

 

[Companihen]

It is easier to trim their crest when you have two people. Do you have anyone who could hold the Polish while you trim the crest? It seems like Polish crests grow fast for their first year of life, but slow down once they get over a year. I have not trimmed my Polish's crests in a while because of that. Be sure to trim the feathers that are sticking out of the sides as well, those can also block some of the vision, which is not good when a predator attacks.

I am talking about these.
View attachment 3901678

Yes I can do it with my husband... I just felt so sorry watching her this afternoon I thought I need to help her a bit now! I have improved her vision but she needs more

Thanks for the tips. I'll try again... the cockerels eyes are clear but I could rim some of their side feathers out like you've indicated in that picture. That picture is one of the cockerels
Tvm

 

[The Welch Chickens]

I would love tips on trimming polish faces up around the eyes. I have 3 chamois polish chicks, 7 weeks. The 2 cockerels can see fine but the hen nor so! I had my first go this afternoon with nail clippers and scissors... she relaxed a lot ad actually fell asleep most of the time. But it was pretty terrifying forme every time she jumped awake like they do! Would love tips!

I just tie it back with a hair elastic. It falls out often, though.

 

[Companihen]

I just tie it back with a hair elastic. It falls out often, though.

I did laugh at the picture of the chick with the tied back hair... such a punk! Thanks for the suggestion

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I just tie it back with a hair elastic. It falls out often, though.

I always thought that would pull on their crest and hurt them, since they only have one layer of skin protecting the inside of their head. And they might eat the elastic if they feel like it.

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

So sorry I haven’t updated in ages… I had to get off BYC for personal reasons, but I’m back now!

So… out of my eight chicks I ordered, I still have six. One of the pullets broke her neck while being an idiot one day (rip Nyx) but that was two years ago almost. And then Nemesis turned out to be a rooster, and he was aggressive so he got thrown into the woods.
Now, my remaining… Athens the rooster is my sweet baby. He used to be very skittish and not want to be around people, but he warmed up to me a year and a half ago and gets very happy to see me. He does the rooster wing dance and gently pecks my hand when he sees me.
Calypso is a sweetheart. She likes chest scratches, and preens my hand when she gets them.
Hera is slightly skittish but still very sweet, and she is my one hen who can actually see.
Demeter is probably my most skittish polish but she has her sweet moments.
Circe is stunning. She also has her moments where she is nervous but she is overall a very sweet hen.
Aphrodite is my Polish imposter… she turned out to be an Exchequer Leghorn. She hates people, but she also has her moments where she is kinda sweet.
Athens three days ago. He was very interested in my phone.

It is slightly difficult to tell the hens apart, but I will try.
Pretty sure that the one that is eating is Calypso, the one next to her looking at the food is Demeter, the one in the middle looking towards the coop is Hera, and the one closest to the waterer is Circe. I can’t see any leg bands in the picture so it makes it difficult but I’m pretty good at telling them apart. Hera has a small topknot and a green leg band. Circe has the nicest looking topknot and an orange band. Demeter also has a very nice topknot and a yellow band, and Calypso has a bald spot (but overall nice topknot) and no leg band. I can tell Calypso apart based on her personality though. And she’s the only one who sleeps on the waterer…

Question: is it necessary to trim their topknots? Because I’ve seen comments on this thread about it, but in my time owning them, I’ve never done it… I suppose I’ll just look it up but they’re all fine and I’ve never had any issues.

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

So sorry I haven’t updated in ages… I had to get off BYC for personal reasons, but I’m back now!

So… out of my eight chicks I ordered, I still have six. One of the pullets broke her neck while being an idiot one day (rip Nyx) but that was two years ago almost. And then Nemesis turned out to be a rooster, and he was aggressive so he got thrown into the woods.
Now, my remaining… Athens the rooster is my sweet baby. He used to be very skittish and not want to be around people, but he warmed up to me a year and a half ago and gets very happy to see me. He does the rooster wing dance and gently pecks my hand when he sees me.
Calypso is a sweetheart. She likes chest scratches, and preens my hand when she gets them.
Hera is slightly skittish but still very sweet, and she is my one hen who can actually see.
Demeter is probably my most skittish polish but she has her sweet moments.
Circe is stunning. She also has her moments where she is nervous but she is overall a very sweet hen.
Aphrodite is my Polish imposter… she turned out to be an Exchequer Leghorn. She hates people, but she also has her moments where she is kinda sweet.
Athens three days ago. He was very interested in my phone.

View attachment 4273793
It is slightly difficult to tell the hens apart, but I will try.
Pretty sure that the one that is eating is Calypso, the one next to her looking at the food is Demeter, the one in the middle looking towards the coop is Hera, and the one closest to the waterer is Circe. I can’t see any leg bands in the picture so it makes it difficult but I’m pretty good at telling them apart. Hera has a small topknot and a green leg band. Circe has the nicest looking topknot and an orange band. Demeter also has a very nice topknot and a yellow band, and Calypso has a bald spot (but overall nice topknot) and no leg band. I can tell Calypso apart based on her personality though. And she’s the only one who sleeps on the waterer…
View attachment 4273794

Question: is it necessary to trim their topknots? Because I’ve seen comments on this thread about it, but in my time owning them, I’ve never done it… I suppose I’ll just look it up but they’re all fine and I’ve never had any issues.

It might be necessary to trim their topknots if it impairs their vision too much. You might not have to do it though, your chooks seem to be fine. Lovely birds!