Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[gothicpicasso]

One of my silkies isn’t quite right. Her beak is a bit twisted like it was put on at an angle. I’ve also noticed she walks with a bit of a hitch. And she is just thin. She doesn’t act sick and if one of the bigger chickens wants her to move she can move quickly. A lot of this I didn’t notice when she was younger but it became more noticeable once she had matured a bit more. Her two sisters are now laying and she shows no signs. I’m fine with that. And I fine if she is just a bit wonky and will always be a little off. I’ll gladly care for her, eggs or not. I just don’t want to be missing something or not treating something.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

One of my silkies isn’t quite right. Her beak is a bit twisted like it was put on at an angle. I’ve also noticed she walks with a bit of a hitch. And she is just thin. She doesn’t act sick and if one of the bigger chickens wants her to move she can move quickly. A lot of this I didn’t notice when she was younger but it became more noticeable once she had matured a bit more. Her two sisters are now laying and she shows no signs. I’m fine with that. And I fine if she is just a bit wonky and will always be a little off. I’ll gladly care for her, eggs or not. I just don’t want to be missing something or not treating something.

If her scissor beak isn't stopping her from eating/drinking she should be okay. Got pics?

 

[AngBantamLuv]

They never last more than a day. I pull them off that night if I use them so they don't try eating the hair tie. I use the little clear plastic ones for braids. They are small and don't tangle or break feathers. Regular ponytail ties are too big.

I dont have any ties to show how at moment.

I do have some old pictures of young pullets that might help. Just treat them like you're putting a ponytail on a Barbie.

View attachment 2678853
View attachment 2678947


Pumice before and after

View attachment 2678955View attachment 2678954

OMG just too adorable!!!!

 

[AngBantamLuv]

so they won’t get better with age.

They will.. mine only sat with me because I forced them to.. until they started laying.. then I couldn't keep them out of my lap! But be an Elmira if you need to.. they will see you aren't going to eat them. Pet them, give them neck massages, and they will warm up to you.

 

[gothicpicasso]

If her scissor beak isn't stopping her from eating/drinking she should be okay. Got pics?

I don’t have any that show her beak. It’s hard to get a good one. I can try and get something when I get home later. I’ve seen her eating but I couldn’t say for sure that she’s getting a lot of food. She pecks at the ground when she’s out for a little free range time. Thanks for the reply.

 

[gothicpicasso]

If her scissor beak isn't stopping her from eating/drinking she should be okay. Got pics?

Here are some pics of her beak. I’m just worried about her.

 

[TJAnonymous]

My Silkies are now 11 weeks old! How time flies! They are so FLUFFY! I still haven't named them yet.... Looking for ideas! I do want to name one of them Minette. Just have to figure out who is a boy vs girl!

Chick #1 -

Chick #2 -

Chick #3 -

Chick #4 -

Chick #5 -

Chick #6 -

Chick #7 -

Chick #8 -

There's one more chick who is white but I couldn't get a good picture of her/him before it started raining again.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Here are some pics of her beak. I’m just worried about her.

Is it possible to file/trim her beak a little to help her?

 

[GingerAndHerChicks]

My Silkies are now 11 weeks old! How time flies! They are so FLUFFY! I still haven't named them yet.... Looking for ideas! I do want to name one of them Minette. Just have to figure out who is a boy vs girl!

Chick #1 -
View attachment 2680406

Chick #2 -
View attachment 2680408

Chick #3 -
View attachment 2680409

Chick #4 -
View attachment 2680410

Chick #5 -
View attachment 2680411

Chick #6 -
View attachment 2680412

Chick #7 -
View attachment 2680413

Chick #8 -
View attachment 2680414

There's one more chick who is white but I couldn't get a good picture of her/him before it started raining again.

they look awesome!!!

 

[LynnaePB]

Here are some pics of her beak. I’m just worried about her.

That doesn't look too bad, it probably won't get bad enough to effect her too much as long as it is trimmed. I'd definitely give the top portion a trim to help her out though. When I have little ones who's beaks get a little overgrown I just use some human nail clippers and have my husband help hold them while I clip off the excess. It's really easy, usually just takes a few clips (one across and then a couple to round off the edges).

I've had several with beaks like that. They've done just fine, I do keep a closer eye on them compared to the rest to make sure the beak doesn't become overgrown though. Unfortunately those slightly crooked beaks seem to be an issue that crops up with silkies sometimes in my experience. Cross beaks happen too but luckily less often (since that really can affect how well they eat a lot more).

Given how you describe her gate I'm wondering if she may have a more severe case of wry tail (it is scoliosis in chickens). I've also noticed that pops up sometimes unfortunately. In mild cases the tail will just be slightly askew but in more severe cases the whole spine is affected and will affect their gate. They don't get around as well and have an uneven gate, you can feel their spine is curved oddly and they may have a sort of hump to it as well. I've also noticed my girls with this condition won't start laying until several months after all their normal siblings have. Thankfully so far I've never had problems with these girls being able to lay when they do eventually start (something I was worried their bodies wouldn't handle well).

My Silkies are now 11 weeks old! How time flies! They are so FLUFFY! I still haven't named them yet.... Looking for ideas! I do want to name one of them Minette. Just have to figure out who is a boy vs girl!

Chick #1 -
View attachment 2680406

Chick #2 -
View attachment 2680408

Chick #3 -
View attachment 2680409

Chick #4 -
View attachment 2680410

Chick #5 -
View attachment 2680411

Chick #6 -
View attachment 2680412

Chick #7 -
View attachment 2680413

Chick #8 -
View attachment 2680414

There's one more chick who is white but I couldn't get a good picture of her/him before it started raining again.

Aww they are beautiful little guys!

I bet they are almost at an age where if you get some close ups of the combs and the side of the crest (to show presence or absence of streamers) you'd probably get some pretty decent guesses on what sex they might be.