Neurological Issue?

[RavenWood]

Thanks for your comments Nikki. I wish I knew what the issue is ... if it's an injury and swelling instead of vitamin deficiency, then I'm not sure what to do for her. Prednisone cannot be got here without a prescription and the vets are gold diggers - I just don't have that kind of $ to vet a $5 chicken. We'll do all we can for her though. She doesn't seem to be suffering in any way. I'll get some video of her to share so you can see what she does. Their pen is quite safe, but it's possible she might have bumped her head on the roost or the heat lamp I suppose, or as you say, another chick pecked her. I had no idea that this breed was so fragile. I never imagined they would have no protective covering over their brains. Seems pretty silly from an evolutionary standpoint Not sure why such a trait would be perpetuated.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

This isn't an uncommon problem for Silkies, and those with vaulted skulls have a harder time with it. IMO, there really isn't anything you can do to help her except make her environment safe. Silkies were created as an ornamental breed, and probably could never never survive in the wild on their own (I don't even free range mine, they stay in covered pens that I rotate to new grass every couple of days). The purpose of that soft spot is to make the crest bigger, polish have the soft spot as well, hence their huge crests. That soft spot is why Silkies should only be kept with other crested breeds (though there are exceptions). You should go to the Breeds, Genetics and Showing section and check out the Silkie thread, there's lots if great information there. Good luck!

 

[yo burrill]

I forgot about that issue with silkies!! I have never had any. How bout MSM it is a natural anti inflamatory available over the counter.

 

[RavenWood]

Here is a video, albeit not a good one, of my Silkie peep doing her bobble head thing. She exhibits just a little bit of it at about 26 seconds in. Most of the time you don't really notice anything unusual. She is usually the worst when I first come in - almost as though the excitement or stress of having a visitor sets it off - and then it pretty much goes away. I'll try to get some better footage of it, but really she is quite normal most of the time.

 

[RavenWood]

One more with just a very short part with a tiny bobble.

 

[RavenWood]

Unfortunately, the breed info I read doesn't really outline this issue - sure wish it had - I only have one coop and once these are big enough they will have to be in with my other chickens (Orpington/SexSal/EasterEgger crosses). I guess I'll have to hope for the best.

 

[RavenWood]

Here is one I took after I 'woke' the peeps up ... it's always more prevalent when I'm first there in the morning or when she gets excited. You can definitely see her wobbly head in this one.

 

[yo burrill]

She looks like she will be okay. Just a little different that's all. I wouldnt worry about it too much. It just looks like a neurological tick" like some people get.

 

[leadwolf1]

I have had this happen to several silkie chicks. I would separate her from the others...I always brought a friend along. I used poly vi sol, without iron, .25mls per day. 200 ius of vitamin E. I've had the condition clear up only to have the chick die several weeks later for no apparent reason.

You may not have any problem with integrating them and then again, you may. Alot of 'normal' chickens just do not like silkies and they will go after them any chance that they get. Take your time integrating them and keep an eye out for signs of trouble.

Silkies are actual a pretty delicate breed. They can't be left in the rain as they do not possess water shedding abilites. They must have shelter doing wet weather. Unfortunately, they love rain! Or, at least, mine do Their heads are fragile, they get picked on pretty often, they can't free range well since they can't see winged predators...

Yet, we all love them

 

[welasharon]

I would go ahead and give them all crushed B complex tablets in their food and a drop or two of poly vi sol (no iron) just to rule out vitamin deficiency. I too have a silkie that has a twitch or a sort of coast to her head. She is two now and has not gotten any better or worse but gets along just fine. I have her in a pen with seramas so she doesn't have to deal with being mated by large roosters.