debbiedoobs Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 Hi all, I hatched 15 beautiful silkie chicks 2 weeks ago. One has a vaulted skull, she's a feisty little thing, she's tiny at around a third the size of the rest, so we called her Dot. ( obviously hoping she's a girl) . The problem I have is that her head seems to leak from time to time. Her head has never fluffed up and she has a constant flat head. We have an electric hen that she seems to rub her head on so her feathers are almost ironed down, must feel nice? I've tried to fluff it up with a wet cotton bud and hair drier but when I go in to check on them later she has flattened it back down again. There seems to be a light yellowy liquid that scabs a little. I have noticed the others pecking at it a little bit but she pecks them straight back, so they back off. I cannot find anything online about a vaulted skull weeping, so I'm hoping someone can help me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Learned something today already Debbiedoobs. I had never heard of a vaulted skull before. Apparently they are prone to damage, but some argue not. I think the important thing is to let the injury close up, because that's why it is weeping. It will given the chance to. We had a chick with half it's face taken off by a broody accident I think. Skull was visible with no ear. I nearly despatched but she seemed totally oblivious to it so I left her. 12 months on and the only evidence was a misshapen ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiedoobs Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 I'm going to separate her today, goin to be a problem as I don't have another heat lamp. Heat pads it is! Lol. She definitely isn't suffering and runs around with the others, eats and drinks the same too. She does seem to be a bit loopy as she bites her feet and then runs around in circles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Awww, she sounds such a sweetie. I'm afraid I don't have any advice but just wanted to wish Dot all the luck in the World. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiedoobs Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 Awe thanks, we've been giving lovely cuddles all say long. I've put her back with the others till first thing in the morning and i will separate her again. Gettin a little attached to each other now she's adorable x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 How's Dot doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiedoobs Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 Dot is ok, she has been completely separated from the others for 2 weeks as they just wouldn't stop pecking at her. I spoke to my vet and was advised to bathe it with salt water, so I did, 2 mins later I looked and there was a huge hole on the top of her head! I panicked and took her to the vets and is now on her 2nd week of anti biotics, the vet really doesn't know what it is that is leaking. He thinks it's either a skin infection or an abscess. There is a now a massive scab on the top of her head that she continuously tries to rub on things and it leaks some days but not on others. At the moment she has feathers trying to grow through so it must be itchy. She is lonely on her own but has my full attention 24/7. She is a handful and gets very upset when I leave her alone. I'm trying to see if I can potty train her and I will keep her as a house pet if her head doesn't get back to normal. I'm bothered that she is still so tiny, we weighed her and she's only 90 g, out if the other 14 the biggest is 240 g and the smallest is 160 g. I'm just hoping that she gets better and will join the others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Not what you want to hear I'm sure, but if she was mine I'd cull her. I imagine that she is leaking cerebrospinal fluid, and if that can come out, infection can get in. Chicks like this don't do well, and don't cope well with any trauma to the head. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiedoobs Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 really not what I wanted to hear When we have any problems with our animals we will always try our best to save them. The vet has sent a photo on to someone for advice, but as long as she is eating and drinking and happily running around I will try to save her. If she gets poorly and we cannot save her then I will be cruel to be kind. She is such a sweetheart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I've given this a lot of thought Debbiedoobs. The pictures of chicken skeletons on Google with vaulted skulls show incomplete closure of the skull. So even if the skin closed it would still leave a hole. Any hierarchy challenge and a peck on the head would see the hole penetrated and brain damage. The statement by breeders that there isn't a problem I can't believe is true. Assuming the wound heals which needs the skin to be drawn over it, you are left with a house hen. Whilst she won't wake you up at 4.30am doodling she cannot be house trained. Pooing is a reflex action chickens have no control over, like most of their actions. She could live well past the age of our pet cockerel who is now 7. So can you cope with 7 years of cleaning up after her? I think despatch at this stage is the kindest option. And a curse on the breeder that let this happen!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Sorry I agree with the others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 I agree too. I'm all for trying to save a pet but this will leave a lifelong weakness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 I too agree, not only would it be more traumatic for you to have to cull her later, but she maybe faced with ill health if she survives. You have given her all you could, but from what you describe, she isn't thriving and maybe in some discomfort, the future sounds very bleak for her. It is a very hard decision, we are just on the verge of having to have our lovely 17yr old cat put down and it breaks my heart, but he has taken a turn for the worse today, so the end is coming I know. It is the hardest but usually one of the kindest things you can do for an animal - to prevent suffering, shame humans can't do the same, but that is another can of worms! All the best to and your little chick (she must know she is loved). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiedoobs Posted May 12, 2014 Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 Little dotty is up in the sky with all the other chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Sorry to hear that. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiedoobs Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 Thanks, I tried to save her but there was nothing more I could do. It was such a hard decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I think you made the best decision for her. Very sad but well done. She was loved and cared for during her short life you couldn't have done any more. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
