Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[peepblessed]

Could something else contribute to head shaking? I had a hen that had an ear infection and would do those motions.

How did you find the ear infection?

 

[aoxa]

How did you find the ear infection?

My girl had discharge - and would scratch one side of her ear. I treated with anti-biotics and she was fine after that.

Never had one shake without reason. Though silkies are prone to head injuries, so that could be it too?

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

I have a question on the large crest issue. I hatched this 4 mth old pullet from my own pair. The mom has a medium crest and dad fairly large. But this pullets crest is huge and still full of pin feathers. I have trimmed all around her eyes and muff and she sees very well but she never stops shaking her head and I'm wondering if it's because that huge crest is annoying? I'm about ready to cut it off! Does anyone know if a very large crest causes head shaking? I'm thinking I don't want to pass this trait on....

many things can contribute to head shaking. two things above all else in my birds : 1. mites and 2. fluff from the crest or beard near the eyes if not touching the eyes irritating them. ear infection will illicit similar head shaking, also neurological issues can cause head shakes/twitches as well...but ear infection and mites typically they scratch alot at their face, neck, head as well.

I dislike the huge crests, while pretty to look at, its not functional/practical for the birds and you can run into the problem of sight obstruction that the bird wont eat or drink properly/enough. I do have a few that have huge crests (Titus my boy, and one of my young pullets has a huge crest) but I will try to breed for nice medium sized crests that are full but not huge.

I personally can't believe more judges don't get after breeders about the huge crests, the standard calls for a medium globular crest and the birds should be able to see clearly and from the front you should be able to see the face...I've heard of some judges heavily faulting birds for these things, but of course some breeders get around it by trimming/plucking and still keeping the huge crests.

 

[tiki244]

I have one that has just started this lately. She is over three years old. I trimmed her crest a lot and washed her in case she had mites. It seems an over exuberant rooster got to her. I have been giving her vitamin E and hand feeding her. Within the next few days I should be getting prednisone for her. I sure hope she gets better. She is such a sweety. (Her is more of a moving the head in a sideways circular motion and the she pulls it back and then is repeated like she is really dizzy~ over and over again)

I checked her ears but couldnt see much and they smell regular so I guess she is ok there.

 

[aoxa]

I have one that has just started this lately. She is over three years old. I trimmed her crest a lot and washed her in case she had mites. It seems an over exuberant rooster got to her. I have been giving her vitamin E and hand feeding her. Within the next few days I should be getting prednisone for her. I sure hope she gets better. She is such a sweety. (Her is more of a moving the head in a sideways circular motion and the she pulls it back and then is repeated like she is really dizzy~ over and over again)
I checked her ears but couldnt see much and they smell regular so I guess she is ok there.

That one definitely sounds like a neurological injury to me. You are going about doing the right thing! I had this in a bantam polish. He was pecked on his head right where it's vaulted.

 

[tiki244]

I hope so. I once had a rooster that had a really big ear develope. I didn't know what was wrong. It almost looked like a cheerio. He started having seizures and eventually I had to put him out of his misery. Then the following day I saw a post on here about an ear like a cheerio, I was so so sad I could have done something but hadn't at the time known what to do. Live and learn.

PS After that I have always checked their ears and if I treat for mites I always put a tad on a small Q tip (which has been alterred for size) and ever so gently apply some medicine to the ear. (only a little ways in) Oh and I also make sure to check for mites in the folds of their combs.

 

[peepblessed]

Thanks for all the feed back. I will check her ears. I ruled out parasites first thing. She has always done a little more than normal head shake but has steadily gotten worse the larger her crest got so I thought it might be related. I don't care for the the huge crest. It makes for a very dark world for a dark colored silkie. I wish the judges would get into agreement.

 

[aoxa]

Thanks for all the feed back. I will check her ears. I ruled out parasites first thing. She has always done a little more than normal head shake but has steadily gotten worse the larger her crest got so I thought it might be related. I don't care for the the huge crest. It makes for a very dark world for a dark colored silkie. I wish the judges would get into agreement.

Don't the heavy beards affect vision as well?

My young boy here (15 weeks) has more of a beard blocking his vision than his crest

 

[peepblessed]

Don't the heavy beards affect vision as well?

My young boy here (15 weeks) has more of a beard blocking his vision than his crest

Yes, but it seems easier to trim or pluck the muff feathers and not alter their appearance. JMO

 

[aoxa]

Yes, but it seems easier to trim or pluck the muff feathers and not alter their appearance. JMO

I stay away from hair cuts after I did something REALLY awful to my polish boy Carl

Tell me you want to witness my awful haircut.