Protruding skull in silkie

[i do it for the bantams]

I have a silkie I just had to do an assisted hatch on. Actually I had 3 I had to do. My children opened the incubator and shrink wrapped them. Fortunately I got them out and they are doing ok.. sleeping it off.. I'm sure it was stressful for them... and me of course.
Now my silkie which have come from the chickens I raised myself just had an interesting thing happen...
When it hatched it looked like it's head was deformed like some sort of weird look. It's squishy and not hard at all.. almost feels like fluid. I'm just going to tell you now.. I won't kill it. I have it with other chicks I assisted because they are all wet and tired but I have never seen this in any of the now 30 chicks I have hatched.. what is it? Someone please tell me its fine!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's called a vaulted skull and is common in crested breeds as it makes the crest bigger. I had one once, she got pecked in the head as a chick a few times and became a special needs chicken. It's one reason I avoid silkies now.

I'm not a breeder, so I don't know if it's a desired trait or not, but it isn't something than needs culling. I would not keep them with other breeds, only silkies.

 

[i do it for the bantams]

Here's what it is on my actual bird

 

[theoldchick]

Here's some info for you:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ydrocephalus&usg=AOvVaw1WE33E7RR1ZNaBdXwoz9A8

Good luck with the little cutie!

 

[Bryam]

It is actually desirable, when breeding show quality birds. It is called a vaulted head, the skull is convex. It will harden over time. This chick is most likely a pullet and will have a beautiul big crest!

Congrads with your hatch! Nothing to worry about here! ☺

 

[i do it for the bantams]

Ok because that parvo link I just got freaked me OUTTT.. I AM REALLY glad it isn't serious.. I have a few birds with big beautiful heads and I've never thought to feel their skulls.. But I plan on keeping this one regardless.. the rest of the hatch didn't have this but I only hatched 4 from my own flock.
Are you thinking it might look like the one in my profile pic.. that's my female now... she is fluffed everywhere and just the cutest think ever

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I snuck my answer in between your post and pictures in case you missed it. Vaulted skulls make them look more appealing.

 

[i do it for the bantams]

I am feeling better about there sweet little thing.. I'll post a fluffed out pic when she dries out!! Thank you everyone!

 

[JudysMuscovy]

I just had one hatch just like that with the vaulted skull I was wondering and had to ask the lady I got the eggs from and she assured me it was ok cause I thought it had something wrong with it

 

[i do it for the bantams]

So it's now been a little bit and this one seems to not be able to quite walk right and seems to not be able to catch it's balance at all.. It just stumbles falls and peeps. I'm starting to wonder about whether it will make it. Could it be infectious to the other chickens in the incubator with it?