Vaulted Skull?!?! Please help

[SilkiesForEver]

Its soft and squishy but it doesn't flop around on her head.
I have never hatched a chick with vaulted skull so I don't know much about it.

I really don't want to cull her, so any advise?

 

[sumi]

Oh, poop.
I've seen this once with one of our piglets. The skull didn't fuse properly and it had this bulge on it's head. I flew into such a panic I phoned both out town's vets! They both came and one of them euthanised it. Said there wasn't anything they could do and though not life-threatening, it was a risky condition, as a bump could rupture the bulge and kill the pig.
I don't know what to suggest you do with your chick. It's up to you if you want to cull it, which may be better for it, or wait and see.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I would kill the bird immediately. I know it sucks... I hate culling my turkey poults that are deformed, but it is what is best for everyone involved. Perhaps others would do something differently, but I would cull immediately.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

She is almost completely fluffy and is doing great!

I have named her Polly.

She is walking around in the incubator and does not seem to be affected by the "bulge" at all. She also has the loudest cheep I have ever heard!

While we were out at a book sale another chick hatched. She is black and is perfectly healthy.
I am not going to cull Polly, I have never culled and don't wish to start with her. I'm sorry, I just don't believe she needs to be killed.
My camera battery is charging but, when its done I'll go take some pictures of them.

 

[nurse_turtle]

That is one vaulted bird! There could be some fluid accumulation from rubbing against the egg shell internally. I never cull a bird that's acting normally no matter what they look like. Waiting on pics!

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Here is Little Polly,
She fell asleep in my hand.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Polly is a Silkie, correct? Silkies come with or without vaulted skulls. The general belief is the vault makes their crest bigger. Don't cull her, she's a normal Silkie babe. Good luck, she's cute as a button!

 

[sumi]

That's really interesting. And good news! She's absolutely adorable

 

[SilkiesForEver]

I don't know what happened.....

Polly died around twelve o'clock.

She was acting normal just yesterday. Agh..... I can't tell you how sad I am...

I really wanted her to make it....
I am sitting on the computer with chick number eight in my lap.......a little yellow/golden baby......she looks just like Polly.

We had a great rate, eight out of eight hatched and seven out of eight are doing very well.
Me and my mom are going to bury Polly soon.

 

[sweety13]

I don't know what happened.....

Polly died around twelve o'clock.

She was acting normal just yesterday. Agh..... I can't tell you how sad I am...

I really wanted her to make it....
I am sitting on the computer with chick number eight in my lap.......a little yellow/golden baby......she looks just like Polly.

We had a great rate, eight out of eight hatched and seven out of eight are doing very well.
Me and my mom are going to bury Polly soon.

Sorry about Polly