vaulted skull

[mrsengeseth]

what does this refer to? the feathers or the skull itself??

 

[silkiechicken]

The skull its self. It appears in many large crested birds, and often makes brain injuries very easy.link

 

[fancyfowl4ever]

Its what breeds with big crests have. They basically have a hole in their skull that exposes the brain and is only covered with a thick layer of soft tissue/cartilage.
If you feel the bump on top of the head of say ---- a polish chick, or SQ bloodline Silkie---- you will notice its not really a solid bump, its a bit squishy.

Thats what makes the crests in big crested breeds so big.

Also, with them having a hole in their skull they are more prone to brain injury due to pecking etc.
Silkies with vaulted skulls are esspecially vulnurable I think, they are too gentle and calm and will not either defend themselfs or get out of the way of a bully(unlike polish which are pretty quick birds).

I think crooked neck syndrome in silkies is caused by brainswelling due to injury if I recall correctly.