Stunned Silkie - Should I Worry?

[farmgirlsomeday]

A few days ago, we brought home a 6 month old Silkie hen as a pet for my daughter. This pullet is very healthy looking, with beautiful feathering and bright eyes. She's a good weight. However, ever since we got her home, she mostly just sits in a quiet corner of our yard by herself, totally still. My chickens get to free range in our whole backyard during the day. (It has an 8 foot wooden fence.) but she stays totally away from the rest of the flock and won't move. She seems stunned or something. Almost like she's in shock. The breeder where we got her is very reputable and keeps a nice clean operation, but the Silkies are raised in small pens, and they never get to be loose in a yard with grass and sky above, etc. So my question is whether she really is just unsure what to do or how to behave yet now that she's got all this freedom, or whether it sounds like she's getting sick (yes, I know that ideally she should have been quarantined before I let her in with my other hens, but....). Have you ever seen a chicken that's been raised in confinement behave this way when introduced to a lot more space + an existing flock? Is it temporary, I hope? Thanks.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I've never seen a chicken raised in captivity behave that way, but I have seen large crested Silkies behave that way. If her crest is large, she probably just can't see well and needs a trim. Just cut away the feathers around her eyes.
In the tiny pens at the breeders, it's likely she knew where everything was. So, even if she couldn't see she'd be able to get around to the feeders and drinkers. Move things around and you end up with what you've got now, a blind chicken.

And for what its worth, Silkies don't make the best free rangers. They can't really see up, so they're pretty much just hawk bait shuffling around the yard.

Anyway, I hope this helps and shes acting like a normal chicken soon!

 

[farmgirlsomeday]

@howfunkyisurchicken OH MY GOSH!!! I am **sure** that's what's going on! The sweet little thing CANT SEE! I can't wait til the sun comes up in the morning so I can trim around her eyes. Thank you so so SO much!!!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

You're welcome! I can't wait to hear the good news, that she's acting like a chicken again!

(P.S. We love pictures here!!!).

 

[realsis]

Hi there. I raise silkies too and I wanted to add, you will need to trim their crests at least once a month so they can continue to see. Mine get so happy when I trim them every month. Some birds might need more often depending how big the crest is. Just cut around the eyes very short and it does not ruin the look of the crest. Also if she was kept contained check her nail growth. I trim my girls nails as well about once every two months. It can hurt their feet if they get too long. And one more thought, I completely agree with above post about silkies and free range. First they can't see above and if a hawk comes they generally won't run like other chickens, they will squat down, making them a awful target for preditors! I urge you to please consider making a covered run for your silkie to keep her safe. They are so docile that they are sitting targets for hawks. Even if your other birds run, they will not. When they since danger they just freeze and squat down. Making them a perfect target for hawks. And don't think hawks won't attack with a person outside because they will! They will attack right in front of you! I built my silkies a run where I plant pasture for them to graze on but it's completely inclosed with a over head roof and no open spots on the roof or sides. It was necessary because of the hawks.so you might want to seriously reconsider letting her out to free range because she is a vulnerable target. And hawks can see for miles! You would be suprised how far they can see! I'd just hate for anything to happen to her. Because silkies are so vulnerable!

 

[farmgirlsomeday]

First of all, IT WORKED!! I trimmed her up all around her eyes early this morning and it was like a miracle; within 5 minutes she was trotting around happily and showing interest in her surroundings. And second of all, I will take y'all's advice and make sure that even when her bigger buddies run around the yard, she stays in the run (which is enclosed).