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

[Evelle]

awww how sweet!!
he looks very happy!!
YAY!!!

 

[Swissmiss989]

Hes doing well. Right out of his box he was crowing up a storm lol my neighbors thought I was nuts

BTW is that green chick yours? Lol its a cute picture

 

[Momhen]

Sorry for your loss! How's your new silkie coming on? Your breeder sounds terrific.

 

[Swissmiss989]

My breeder is awesome. And my new boy is awesome too. Hes doing well.

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Soooo glad the new little guy is doing so well. I know he's not your little buddy - your buddy wasn't at all 'defective' and I'm so very sorry, I've been following this from the beginning and feel your loss - but the new guy is absolutely adorable and looks like he feels right at home. I hope he helps ease the pain just a bit ...

 

[destiny_56085]

I just saw this post now or would have chimed in earlier. After breeding silkies for over 10 years, I will have to admit it is a fairly common occurance in this breed. It tends to run in certain lines more than others. Sometimes all it takes is a bonk on the head if they jump up in a carrier, fall and hit something, etc. You see it in the chicks if you brood them with other breeds usually. In the growout pens if you leave the cockerels in with the pullets, you will get some rough cockerels actually causing this by grabbing the pullets on the crest to breed. Severe temperature swings can also be a culprit. I've gone to shows and swaps only to discover some of my birds with their heads tucked or rocked back on their heels. I had 1 bird die on me while bathing it because it hit its head just right on the faucet handle. I made the mistake of brooding standard cochin chicks in with my silkies one year and lost about 100 chicks before the cochins hit the burn barrel. I've seen it happen on young pullets that are with the boys.

Whatever the reason, its usually the typiest and biggest vaulted birds affected. Vitamin E, selenium, and prednisone usually help a bit if it isn't too severe of a case. You will see sypmtoms of worst case being immediate death down to rocking back on the haunches, tucking the head, twirling in circles, or just even a mild head bob. On the few I've pulled out of it, they still exhibit those same symptoms any time they are stressed again.

I'm borrowing a few pics from Alan Stanford's website here. Hopefully this will show you what I mean by a bird with a vaulted skull versus a regular skull. Its just like a newborn baby and the plates of the skull aren't fused together yet. They have a soft spot up there. A blow (peck, etc) to that spot can cause swelling on the brain and thus the neurological symptoms.

 

[Swissmiss989]

Thank you Amy he is fitting in quite well. And that you destiny for sharing that information. Its very helpful!