My shipped roo :( **He didn't make it**

[Elite Silkies]

Sorry to hear that

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

SwissMiss I am so very sorry!

 

[drumstick diva]

I am so sorry, no one could have tried harder than you did.

 

[Swissmiss989]

Thank you everyone. Does anyone know if this happens alot to shipped birds?

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

I was doing a lot of looking around on the subject when you first posted and saw that a fair number of people wrote in about this...

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't know that it happens from shipping but, it seems like everyday someone mentions a bird walking backwards, or doing sommersaults, and most often it is a SILKY. Silkies are extremely popular so that may account for the sheer number of reports. I expect people will be labeling it as "silky syndrome" some day soon. It seems to be most prevalent in breeds with vaulted skulls. I recall someone posted actual xrays of a silky skull or link to it and it showed there was just the layer of skin - no boney structure covering the brain. They are very prone to head injuries from bumps or pecking. Not all silkies have this problem. Sometimes it is a cochin or other breed. It is especially sad since they are such a sweet breed.

 

[Davian]

I have zero experience with silkies so I just throw this out as a general question: Are silkies overbred as a result of their popularity resulting in a genetic predisposition to this type of injury? Kinda like how certain dog breeds end up with hip dysplasia as a result of bad breeding?

 

[what's kickin' chicken]

so sorry

 

[coloradochick]

Just stinks

So sorry to read this. I kept checking back to see that he was up and bopping around.

 

[Swissmiss989]

Quote:
Good question. I would think quality breeders wouldn't in breed our over breed to cause that but it could be a good possibility.