Chick only has 3 toes?

[Rebeccakelly1000]

I hatched a chick out recently, and he only has the 3 inner toes and both feet are exactly the same. The outer toe hasn't really grown and is more of a very small stub. He walks and runs fine and is not causing him any problems. Does anyone know what may have caused this?

 

[chrismahon]

Hi Rebecca. As the chick is otherwise happy and healthy I would say it is a random genetic mutation, rather than inbreeding or parents diet. Could be wrong but if it isn't causing problems I wouldn't worry. Sometimes we have had late developers in some areas -a tiny bantam cockerels for months then seemed to grow overnight and is now bigger than his brother.

This is the basis of breed variety. Random mutations are thrown up which are then selected for more breeding.

 

[Rebeccakelly1000]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the reply. He is still very tiny but his wing feathers are through. So he is growing, just very slowly. Will the toe grow as he does? Or will it remain as it is? I've been checking and i cant work out if it is growing or not.

 

[foxy]

looks like a feathered leg breed, possibly a pekin if he is very small? Sometimes with heavily feathered feet the fourth toe can be a bit stubby.

 

[Rebeccakelly1000]

Foxy he is a lemon millefleur. So yeah definitely will have big feathered feet. He seems happy enough. Love that he has grown his wing feathers and nearly takes off in the air when he has a little shake and gets disorientated!