Polish can't see!!!

[abcatgirl]

I have a Buff Laced Polish named Stay-Puft who is struggling... a lot. She is 18 weeks old and still hasn't moved into the coop with our four 20-week chicks because she is constantly being picked on. We also have another coop with year old chickens in it, and they pick on her too. She cannot see because of all her head feathers and bumps into things all the time, and of course freaks out every time it happens. She even has trouble finding her 13-week mixed breed friend, who pretty much keeps her alive. She is my profile picture and I've posted her picture here just in case you wanted to see how bad it is. This is my only Polish, so I'm not an expert on them. I know that I should trim the feathers around her eyes, but I don't know how or what equipment I need! Please help!!

As you can see, her eyes are not very visible.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

It is normal for Polish to not see very well, because their crest feathers are in the way. This seems a bit on the extreme side though. I would recommend getting scissors and cutting the top portions of her feathers. Or, as I've seen people do, put on pony tail on the crest so it will pull the feathers back. Check to see if that helps. If she seems to be running into things when her feathers aren't in the way, I would recommend looking at her eyes to make sure she is not blind.

 

[abcatgirl]

Thanks for the help! We are sure she is not blind, so her crest is the problem. I will try the ponytail first because I really don't want to clip her feathers, however not if it is my only choice. Thanks again!

 

[abcatgirl]

She looks hilarious with a ponytail!

 

[junebuggena]

I might actually consider getting a Polish, just to see it running around with a ponytail! LOL

 

[mypurtychickens]

i have 6 polish, i have had the same problem, it does make them a lot easier to catch though lol! i feel so bad when they bump into things.

 

[abcatgirl]

I'd love to see a picture of 6 Polishes with ponytails all together!!!

 

[mypurtychickens]

I will work on that lol

 

[abcatgirl]

BTW I took the ponytail out when she went in at night and floofed her feathers back to normal, just so they wouldn't warp or anything

 

[TheLittleGarden]

Oh my gosh. Just popped on to make this exact post. I have a buff polish too who uses our blue cochin as a "seeing eye chicken." If Lillac leaves Pippin anywhere in the yard, Pippin just starts crying until Lillac eventually runs back to her. Most of the time, Pippin has her head tucked into Lillac's bum feathers and just follows behind her that way. We have another Polish, Amelia, who is easy to surprise, but doesn't have this level of difficulty and is really independent. Pippin does have an extremely large crest though. I would be interested to see how things are going for you with the pony tail!