Silkie haircut? Thick feathers ok to cut?

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Hi, I often give my Silkies haircuts around the eyes but I have a 5 month old that has thicker feather bits so I'm unsure if this would hurt her (him?).
Thanks in advance for your advice

 

[Lilokieescorter]

I'm wanting to know how do you get then to hold still? I have 4 silkies that I'm going to have to trim & my little rooster seems to have a little more fuzz!

 

[PioneerChicks]

And I am wondering, how do you keep fluff from falling into their eyes when you trim their crests? I have never had to trim my silkies before but somehow my second generation is better quality than the first and can't see very well because of it.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Hi, my Silkies are quite calm. I pat them first then when they settle and sit down I get the scissors out. They seem to love the pats and some completely lay flat head in my lap like its a massage pamper treatment! ... Pic before and after my little cockerel I thought was a girl until I gave him a haircut! Haha...

 

[AllenK RGV]

I trim mine up every winter when we have a high amount of hawk traffic. I just don't trim growth feathers as they will bleed. My silkies hate it. But they do like the seeing part. Best wishes. If you have Netflix there is a documentary called "Birders" that describes where I live.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

One of my kids use to have 'Fluffball' on her lap patting her while I trimmed her feathers she was completely floppy, eyes closed, enjoying the pampering I suspect. No need to hold this chicken down!... Easier with an extra pair of hands to get a good angle with scissors

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

I trim mine up every winter when we have a high amount of hawk traffic. I just don't trim growth feathers as they will bleed. My silkies hate it. But they do like the seeing part. Best wishes. If you have Netflix there is a documentary called "Birders" that describes where I live.

Thanks for your reply... The growth feathers are those the thick ones? So I'll just have to leave my white fluffy head for another time then when those thick 'growth feathers' are back to fluff?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Mine sometimes have very thick new growth feathers. Usually they have short feathers growing out the top side. Cut one and they will bleed for quite a while. I only cut their dander ones. But yes the base of the feathers is quite thick. I hope that was a sensible reply.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

And I am wondering, how do you keep fluff from falling into their eyes when you trim their crests? I have never had to trim my silkies before but somehow my second generation is better quality than the first and can't see very well because of it.

Hi, sometimes I wet the feathers first then cut - like hairdressers do! Then the feathers stick together and don't fly about everywhere.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Hi, sometimes I wet the feathers first then cut - like hairdressers do! Then the feathers stick together and don't fly about everywhere.

Will do! Thanks!