Silkie chick with vaulted skull that's leaking?

[Debbiedoobs]

Hi all, I hatched 15 beautiful silkie chicks 2 weeks ago. One has a vaulted skull, she's a feisty little thing, she's tiny at around a third the size of the rest, so we called her Dot. ( obviously hoping she's a girl) . The problem I have is that her head seems to leak from time to time. Her head has never fluffed up and she has a constant flat head. We have an electric hen that she seems to rub her head on so her feathers are almost ironed down, must feel nice? I've tried to fluff it up with a wet cotton bud and hair drier but when I go in to check on them later she has flattened it back down again. There seems to be a light yellowy liquid that scabs a little. I have noticed the others pecking at it a little bit but she pecks them straight back, so they back off. I cannot find anything online about a vaulted skull weeping, so I'm hoping someone can help me.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I have never heard of a vault leaking either, but I don't imagine it could be a good sign. If the others are pecking her, I would separate immediately. That way if there is some kind of injury it can have a chance to heal properly. If you can't separate, maybe switch from the warming plate (which I'm assuming is what your electric hen is) to a heat lamp so she can't rub her head on it.
It may also be a good idea to take a picture and post this on the Silkie thread. Just because I've never heard of this type of thing doesn't mean someone else hasn't dealt with it before. Good luck

 

[Debbiedoobs]

Thanks so much for your reply, will separate her today and keep her head as fluffed up as I can. I'm a bit worried bout her, as like you said surely it can't be a good thing.

 

[ten chicks]

Explain leaking? Explain flat head,are you referring to her crest or skull? I have vaulted silkies and i am just a little confused as to what you are saying,please clarify. Where is the exact location of leak and is it a wound?

Do not keep fluffing up/blow drying her crest,you might be causing more damage.

 

[Debbiedoobs]

I have been trying to fluff it up so it's not obvious to the other chicks, didn't think I would be causing harm, poor baby. Whilst doing so I haven't noticed any open wound, but the cotton bud has a slight yellow tinge, but no blood. It is on the very top of her head/ crest and the feathers are flattened down.

 

[Debbiedoobs]

 

[ten chicks]

If there is some type of drainage,then there has to be a wound or some skin irritation. When you run your fingers gently over top of head,you cannot feel anything?

 

[Debbiedoobs]

It's really hard to tell as it's matted down, i can't see or feel anything obvious.

 

[Debbiedoobs]

Please, can anyone help. I have posted on the silkie thread but had no reply