Trimming Crests

[Bec]

I was just wondering what the best way to trim is. I have a 8 week old WCB Polish hen and as of now, she can't see dittily...lol. I won't be showing her, so I think trimming is fair. I LOVE her crest but I feel so bad that she can't see anything. Does anyone have pictures of their trimmed polish? And tips please on how to do it!!!!

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I have seen one with a ponytail and thought that looked rather cute.

 

[Crunchie]

The only time I tried giving one of my Polish a ponytail they laid down like they'd given up and were just waiting to die.

Drama queen!!!

If you do the ponytail, you do have to take it down occasionally to give the crest (and the bird's poor head) a rest.

I trim all of my breeder's crests. I think they are happier this way. Also, with my white crested blacks, the crests are just huge and they get food and dirt crusted in their crests and then their eyes because of how large the crests are. So it's a health issue for these guys, too.

I'll try to get a pic or two later, I'll update my post with them when I do.

 

[Bec]

I would really like to trim her up so she can see. she is really sweet and obviously the easiest to catch....lol. I thought about one of those little bows that they put in poodles and yorkies, but is that ok?? lol, She would look really cute, but I want what is best for her.

I would love to see pics!!

 

[pixiechick]

I've been pondering this too. Are feathers like toenails where if you cut to close it hurts/bleeds?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:

 

[Crunchie]

Between the Polish and my darn goats, somebody's gonna win an academy award around here!! Sheesh!! You'd think goat clipping day was slaughter day around here, the way those goats carry on.

I mean good lord we're vegetarian, what the heck to do they think we're gonna do??

Bec, sorry I didn't get any pics today but I'll try to get some tomorrow. In the meantime, this is what I do when I trim....I wrap the bird up in a towel to help keep it contained. I then sit with the bird between my knees so I can have both hands free. I pull the crest up and trim around from one side of the bird's face to the other, really paying attention to clear out around the eyes. Then I might "shape" the rest of the crest a bit, just to make it smaller/more manageable (and to kind of keep that general "poof" shape). With the roos I usually just give 'em a "buzz cut" if I trim them.

I take it all off!

Pixiechick, you won't hurt them if you cut the crest feathers close--there's no "quick" like a fingernail. Now if you pluck the feathers out, then yes, they will bleed (you pluck some of the colored feathers from a white crest to groom it for show). And then they take the process to a whole 'nother level of drama queen....

 

[SarahF]

wow, this is good to know! I have 6 WCB Polish, 5 Sultans, and about 7 Silkies that are all about 3 weeks old. I didn't realize I would have to trim them up. Maybe I'll get DH to do that. About the nails....when do I have to start trimming and how often??? I had 5 BR's for a year and never trimmed their nails...they looked ok to me..

 

[Crunchie]

Ok, here's a pic of one of my hens. Sorry, she's filthy--but their run is on a dirt floor and no matter how deep my deep litter method gets they still find a way to do some serious dustbathing!!

All of the hens in this pen are also a little ragged looking on account of their rooster, too....

Like I said in my previous post, I trim out well around the eyes--then I take a little off all over the "poof" to make it a bit smaller overall and to keep the shape a bit. However, a hairdresser I am not (obviously!!)!!

These guys don't free range--if they did, I would take off a bit more of the crest, especially on the sides, to give them a wider range of vision. But you can see the difference between this trimmed hen and the untrimmed one in my avatar. When they aren't trimmed, you literally only see their beak sticking out!! I love the poofs, but I feel sorry for the girls so I do try to keep them trimmed up at least a little bit.

 

[silkhope]

I've done this with my polish as well. Poor Phyllis couldn't see a thing. I tried the pony tail thing and it only stayed in for about three days. She didn't care for it much!!

I finally just trimmed the fluff away from her eyes!! It didn't take long and I didn't actually take much away from her crest.