Chick with an extra toe! :S

[Ameza]

Hiya guys.

Today I was banding one chick and noticed that he has one little extra toe. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

The parents are not related at all, but out of 5 fertile eggs I only got 2 chicks. So this little defect makes me wonder about the ones that didn't make it to hatching.

Picture, you can see the extra toe closest to us.

[debbie276]

WOW! That's pretty cool, it's not giving him/her any trouble is it?

[Ameza]

Well it hasn't fledged yet so I don't know. But the other toes look normal and he moves normally, and it's only on one leg, so I would imagine it will be just fine. But strange.

[debbie276]

Yes, strange but I'm sure he'll manage.
good luck

[cindy]

the little chick has a condition called a polydactyly...extra digit. Cats often are seen with this.

[Ameza]

Is this something that might continue with possible later offspring of this bird?

[cindy]

From what I read it can occur one time or it can be a congenital physical anomaly. In cats I know that two cats displaying extra digits should never be bred together since the young can have extra digits also.

I don't know much about birds having this.

[Robin.V]

Some breeds of birds have 5 toes when they are developing as embryoes in the egg. Their 5th toe disappears during their development in the egg.
Im only summarising though, but my first guess would be a birth defect, or a genetic abnormality.

Im a firm believer in only breeding with the best possible gene pool, so if you have any doubts, dont be breeding the parents again with each other. Possibly find other partners,but i wouldnt be breeding the same pair again, given the choice.

[cindy]

If it is genetic having two parents with the same trait will only increase the chances it may happen again...then again it could be a one time thing.

[Ameza]

Ok, I'm slightly freaked out now!

I was banding my other clutch of five and the youngest there is missing 3 toenails on one foot.
And these are both birds I have bred a few times with no problem (not with each other though).

So yeah, I'm rather startled about this, wondering if there might be something wrong with the food I'm giving them or if this is just really really bad luck.


(that or Katla is going to erupt or something)