Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Hawkeye95]

In the video, the bird's tail appears to curve to one side, which reminds me of ours. Do you remember the pics I posted of our silkie with scoliosis? S/he has now developed a huge bump that startled me the first time I felt it. The bump is actually her spine roached up and twisted. Try to gently palpate your birds spine to determine whether you are feeling bone, swollen soft tissue or possibly even a tumor/cyst.

Yeah, I got her/him out and separated him. I felt the leg all the way up to the top of the "bump". It is the leg bone I'm feeling! Feels like the top of the thigh bone is sticking out and I can feel the spine curves in that direction as I ran my fingers down the spine. The entire leg bone is sticking up on that one side. So I do believe I'm dealing with a curved spine and a wry tail (scoliosis). Wow, that just seemed like it appeared out of no where. I still have the bird separated out for now and I'll keep an eye on him, but I'm guessing there is nothing more wrong with him than a severely twisted spine. Poor thing. Now what to do with him! I'll hang on to him for now to see how he feels and behaves, but I'm guessing I may have to put him down later.

 

[PNWGirl]

I agree, the tail is definitely wry. You can see it, in the video, when the bird turns toward you and you can see how the spine lines up-- tail is off to the side.

To be safe, I would segregate the bird.

Sheila

 

[Hawkeye95]

I agree, the tail is definitely wry. You can see it, in the video, when the bird turns toward you and you can see how the spine lines up-- tail is off to the side.

To be safe, I would segregate the bird.

Sheila

Separate the bird.... because of possible disease? He seems healthy enough....just REALLY curvy.

I did separate him today, but he was really upset. He finally did calm down a few hours into it. But I didn't notice any odd droppings from him or any other odd behavior other than he paced the new cage. We'll see how he continues to fare in the next few days/week. How long should I look for some disease to appear other than the crazy walking from his curved spine?

 

[PNWGirl]

My only concern was because you said that this was so sudden and he had been perfectly fine before. I do not know of any disease that would cause this but I play on the side of caution as birds transmit so easily/fast.

How long does everyone keep their show birds separate from their flock, to protect from anything that might have been transmitted at a show?

Sheila

 

[Hawkeye95]

My only concern was because you said that this was so sudden and he had been perfectly fine before. I do not know of any disease that would cause this but I play on the side of caution as birds transmit so easily/fast.

How long does everyone keep their show birds separate from their flock, to protect from anything that might have been transmitted at a show?

Sheila

Yes, it did seem to come on fast, or I could have just missed how it was sneaking up on me. But it did seem like he was fine last week and then this week, he has the top of his thigh protruding from his back. Very odd how how I didn't notice it before. (maybe I have too many birds....)

 

[littlecritters]

Yes, it did seem to come on fast, or I could have just missed how it was sneaking up on me.  But it did seem like he was fine last week and then this week, he has the top of his thigh protruding from his back.  Very odd how how I didn't notice it before.  (maybe I have too many birds....) 

Loralee, I'm starting to think your bird sustained an injury because of the thigh bone sticking up. Scoliosis would make a "section" of the spine hump or bump up. We once had a baby bunny break its leg by jumping around in the cage and catching a toenail in the wire. A freak accident. It is possible that your bird may have landed wrong when attempting to fly or may have been dropped by one of the children. My gut tells me that you are not dealing with an illness.
Tina G.

 

[Me & Jack]

Yes, it did seem to come on fast, or I could have just missed how it was sneaking up on me. But it did seem like he was fine last week and then this week, he has the top of his thigh protruding from his back. Very odd how how I didn't notice it before. (maybe I have too many birds....)

Just from watching the video I thought it was subtle enough that you might not have noticed it earlier, which is understandable when you have a flock of birds. That's not to say you aren't dealing with an injury, but I am leaning toward the scoliosis theory, particularly because it showed up in adolescence, which is a common age one might see it.

 

[Chicksrulefarm]

ScaredOfShadows and Hawkeye95, thank you for answering my question. Your answers were very helpful.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Loralee, I'm starting to think your bird sustained an injury because of the thigh bone sticking up. Scoliosis would make a "section" of the spine hump or bump up. We once had a baby bunny break its leg by jumping around in the cage and catching a toenail in the wire. A freak accident. It is possible that your bird may have landed wrong when attempting to fly or may have been dropped by one of the children. My gut tells me that you are not dealing with an illness.
Tina G.

oh so sad about your bunny! I have been thinking about possible freak accidents, but the more I watch this bird, the more I'm thinking this is a spine issue.

Just from watching the video I thought it was subtle enough that you might not have noticed it earlier, which is understandable when you have a flock of birds. That's not to say you aren't dealing with an injury, but I am leaning toward the scoliosis theory, particularly because it showed up in adolescence, which is a common age one might see it.

Yeah, so now I watch this bird all the time when I go out there. I sit down and just watch it walk and interact. I put it back with the other birds yesterday afternoon when my gut was telling me it's fine, not sick. It just scratches around, alert, happy and even squares off with other birds. (thinking it's a boy) Jumps up and play spars. But it does loose it's balance when it does that a bit. Very interesting how I just noticed it. I'm with you--- I think with all the birds I have in that pen, it just sneaked up on me and finally got to the point where it was hard not to notice it. I do have a lot of birds, but I am starting to sell all of my culls off now that they are a bit older. I have felt it over several more times and I can definitely feel how the spine has a very severe curve to it. It's really like a "C" shape. Poor thing.

ScaredOfShadows and Hawkeye95, thank you for answering my question. Your answers were very helpful.

No problem! Feel free to ask anything.

 

[ChicksNherps]

Sorry to cut in but I have a question on grooming my pullet. I have heard people talking about trimming the crest and muff feathers around their eyes. How much do you trim? does anyone have a picture I could see? Thanks!


ALSO, she started molting 1-2 weeks ago and if she isn't finished by the october 14th show we are going to, how many points would be deducted for missing feathers? a few wing feathers have fallen out but they are growing back. It isn't very noticeable, mainly when she is wet. But I don't know how closely a judge would be looking for a couple missing feathers.