New and question about Silkie top knots

Date sort Score sort
NCchickenlady

NCchickenlady

Songster
11 Years
May 4, 2008
191
2
131
raleigh
Ok, I have 4 silkies, 3 look awful! I see pictures of silkies and they look so clean, mine look messy all the time! Just the heads, everything else is clean and pretty. I thought it was from watermelon they had, you know wet and sticky but no they just have a messy hairdo!! So what do you do about the doo?
big_smile.png


Thanks
Beth
NC
 
Quote:
I just went out and really looked one over. I took her into the bathroom and it looks like old feathers caught in new ones so I cleaned those out and trimmed so she could see. She was wayyyy happier when I returned her to the run! As if she sees the world all new again!! LOL
Eyes were clear so no infection, skin was a little red where all the feathers were stuck together so I did put a little triple antibiotic on her..... She is out there just struttin !! She has a huge topknot, well did anyway,LOL I'm not showing anytime soon so let her see I say!!!!

Beth
 
There are two ways to trim, well at least two ways that I use, I'm sure there are many more.

The first requires a bit of a hair stylist eye. I call it "point cutting" which is the term that describes using just the point of your scissors to cut, so as not to produce a blunt line. Take your scissors and point them towards the head of your bird. Gently move in and out, going closer to the head, and backing out and gently snip here and there to "thin" and shape the top knot. I use this the most with my show birds.

The other way is to gently pluck the small feathers around the top of the eye. You have to go slowly, and gently because the skin there is rather sensitive. I like to use tweezer and get as close to the bast of the feather as possible, if and when I have to pluck. You just grab the base of a single feather, give it a slight tug and it should come out rather easily.

ETA: If you dont want to trim/pluck, and dont want to give your bird a full bath to get her clean, get a box of baby wipes. Use them to wipe down dirty feathers, allow to dry, and brush it out.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Quote:
I don't mind bathing them but it's just their heads that are a mess
lol.png
..
What kind of baby wipes do you use? I worry about putting stuff on them that might cause a reaction....
sad.png


Thanks
Beth
NC
 
Quote:
I use generic baby wipes from walmart... if your worried about a reaction from baby wipes, you've got a lot of stress ahead of you, as chickens will get into anything and everything.

Well for 6 months they have been very easy! The owner I bought them from said to be careful about what you put on them so hence the question but thanks.....



Beth
 
Quote:
Well you have to put some common sense behind what she told you, not everything is bad for them, and don't let it scare you. If you are applying harsh chemicals to treat... say external parasites, the permythian in some powders or liquids could cause infertility. Other things like topical medications for injuries, or illnesses could cause reactions. BUT, I wouldn't worry about mild soap or shampoo that you bathe them in, or baby wipes. There isn't anything in baby wipes that would hurt them. And your not applying it internally so they should be fine.
 

Similar threads

R
    • Like
My Frizzles are home!
Replies
1
Views
131
sourland
sourland
Y
    • Like
Coccidiosis??
Replies
3
Views
360
Yocelinsaldana06
Y
Sparrow-Song
    • Love
April Showers—Intro for the newest members of the flock
Replies
6
Views
392
featherhead007
featherhead007
Slothinc
    • Love
    • Like
Sloth’s Silkies
3 4 5
Replies
47
Views
6K
Farmgirl283420
Farmgirl283420
PeachandtheGang
    • Sad
    • Like
    • Love
Sad about re-homing my Roos
Replies
5
Views
970
No Coop No Problem
No Coop No Problem

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom