All tagged The Silkies

Crested Chickens, Vaulted Skulls, and Damaged Brains - Part 2: Crests, Vaults and Their Genetic Connection

Crested Chickens, Vaulted Skulls, and Damaged Brains - Part 2: Crests, Vaults and Their Genetic Connection

Randy Graham
Chicken Maladies

When people think of Polish chickens, they think of those elaborate, beautiful crests. Most people don't realize that Polish chickens also have “vaulted skulls.” Vaulted skulls are misshapen, with a large knob or vault sticking up from the top. A misshapen skull results in a misshapen, unusual, “hourglass” shaped brain. Vaulted skulls are often filled with holes. The only thing protecting parts of the chicken’s brain is a bit of skin and some feathers. Thus, chickens with vaulted skulls are vulnerable to brain damage. What are the genetics behind crests and vaulted skulls? And are these two traits connected?

Getting Your Ducks in a Row for Raising Baby Chicks: Eight Questions and Answers

Getting Your Ducks in a Row for Raising Baby Chicks: Eight Questions and Answers

Randy Graham
Baby Chicks, Chicken Care

When you adopt baby chicks, you’re taking small, helpless, peeping balls of fluff under your wing. It’s a big responsibility, and if you’ve never done it before, you should make sure you understand the list of basics before you undertake this big venture. If you have done it before, it’s good to pull out that list and review it just to make sure you have all your ducks in a row . Raising baby chicks is not hard, after all, but there are a few things you have to consider and a few things you need to do right.