pony tailing silkie crests up

[joe17]

Some of my silkies have too big of crests and they cant see! I bought some pony tails and was wondering if that would work?? Would that mess it up in any way? Have any of yall done this before? Are there any better ways?

 

[Illia]

I've seen people do it with Silkies. . . . I do it with my Polish during the winter (which starts now

) because of the excessive downpours of non-stop rain.

 

[joe17]

Thanks! Does that hurt them or does it pull their feathers? I was worried about it hurting them lol

 

[Illia]

If you don't do it tight, and make sure that the hen/cock is calm, so that you don't end up pulling feathers - No, it doesn't bother them. When you've got all the feathers held up, don't pull them, just hold them. When you're done, make sure the tie is centered and not lop-sided, and make sure it isn't pulling on the bird's face.

They will at first try and scratch if off, but after the first day all should be fine.

 

[bantyshanty]

I tried this twice with my largest crested Polish pullet, and my crestiest Silkie, and each time bpth worked at it nonstop with their feet until they got it out. Also, the other pullets tried to pull it. ( A pun there,lol?)
The first Polish had to have a short crest-cut. She's happy now.

Does anyone have this experience, where some are placid with it, some not, wheter Polish or Silkies?

 

[Illia]

Quote:
I did have one who scratched at it enough to get it off the first time, then make it lopsided the second time. Once lopsided, she stopped. . . So I didn't bother to fix it. Go figure.

Lately though, I trim crest feathers more often than tie them up. Tying them out here with all the rain eventually can get them really dirty and clogged, which is a serious issue. Now, in places elsewhere where it doesn't rain as much, tying them up isn't quite an issue.

 

[averytds]

We have a Silkie that won't accept anything in her crest. We've tried pony ties, painter's tape, mini hair clips and those mini paper clamp things. She'll just keep at it until she gets whatever it is out. We have others that don't mind at all.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I agree, I have tried with both Silkies and Polish and they work at it until they get the hair-tie out. I usually just make sure I keep the feeders and waterers in the same areas so they know where to find it. Chickens are creatures of habit, and I don't let the Silkies out. They don't usually have a big issue with their lack of vision.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! I've tried 'pony-tailing' both Silkies and Polish to help them see *better* and while effective for 'A' day --- needs to be redone every morning.
Much easier to carefully trim the feathers blocking vision.
Or watch them a while. They CAN see even though you can't see their eyes.
I assume they don't need peripheral vision to watch for predators unless you free-range them. You have them in a safe place, correct?
If they indeed have crests that completely block their vision, you might reconsider breeding them. I understand not seeing *predators because of the crest* but not seeing *at all* is a different thing. Why one would breed any animal that can't see to find its own food bowl is beyond me.

Lisa

 

[joe17]

Here are my silkies! This is what they look like. I will try pony tailing it up tomorrow.