Solitary chicken - need advice

[sheik]

Our white silkie bantam, Pootle, really is a bit of a dopey chicken bless her. Today I saw her try an experimental flight whilst freeranging and she crashed straight into a gazebo as she landed - I'm convinced she didn't see it.

She can see grains of corn fine when pecking, but her long distance vision doesn't seem great.

 

It manifests in other ways too, but I don't know if that's bad eyesight or a pecking order issue. For example, if we walk out with a treats tray the other chickens will spot us immediately and come running, but she'll only follow them when she's left there on her own, she doesn't run to us.

 

This is probably a stupid thought, but is there any chance her hair is obscuring her vision? My wife wants to give her fringe a trim to find out!

Our other silkie has similar hair, but not as long, and has no problems at all.

 

/\dam

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Poor little chookie . We need to see a photo (I promise not to laugh at her, just advise on the hairstyle she needs ).

[sheik]

 

 

/\dam

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Awww, bless her . I remember that photo from before . I think a middle parting and some hair gel might do the trick . Or a baseball cap (works for me when I'm running) .

[Couperwife]

awwwww how sweet (im not laughing, just smiling with noise )

 

maybe a trim might be in order

 

cathy

x

[superjules]

She does look a bit bouffant, Adam!

[sheik]

Actually, that's a never-before-seen exclusive pic - the previous one was this:

 

 

I find it hard to believe she's got much perpipheral vision with that amount of fluff!

Hopefully she will be better off once she gets used to free-ranging, I think she's still a bit nervous.

 

We're semi-serious about trimming her fringe though, providing we feel we can do it safely...

 

/\dam

[Cate in NZ]

Awww, she's beautiful

Couldn't you just plait the excess and tie it in a top knot

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Trimming it would be tricky . Do yours do that head shaking right the way down into their shoulders if you touch their heads? It would certainly be a 2 person job - perhaps in the middle of the night when she's asleep ?

[Snowy]

They are gorgeous girlies though! Someone did give theirs a haircut - think it was a poland with lots of hair that couldn't see anything. No problems, providing you can do it safely.

[Egluntyne]

Two of you and a pair of round ended scissors should do the trick.

 

Is it long enough to tie up, Yorkshire Terrier style?

[Cinnamon]

She is very sweet.

But her hair is nothing compared to my 2 Polands,Indiana & Floss, who are forever crashing into things & missing all the best treats

We do have to trim them quite often as their hair gets really manky after a while

 

This is Indiana,looking as ridiculous as usual

 

 

[MedusA]

My cuckoo Silkie, Muggle is just the same. World War III could go on around her and she would be oblivious. She's very dopey but so cute and waddles when she walks, like a weeble. My other Silkie, Squib is more streetwise and streamlined.

[cluckbok]

Oh I want one, they are so lovely and fluffy!, How about a pretty pink ribbon! No I would go for a little trim with rounded safety scissors, if she lets you.