Spouse brought this home from Tractor Supply to see if I can help. A bit stumped, if I’m honest. Extra appendage appears to be one mostly-formed leg and one partly formed leg (to left of mostly-formed leg, looks like a long single toe). Gentle palpation indicates well-formed tibia/fibula extending from center of abdomen. Appendage is warm; chick is now approx. 3 days old and eating/drinking.
It is a FR, straight run, and frankly we get FR to process same year and maybe keep 1-2 for mixing with our flock depending on grow out. I’ve seen a couple Reddit posts on the subject, indicating another cochlea potentially, but I’m not able to visualize at this time without stressing the chick.
I’m pretty good with birds and mammal husbandry, and I’m absolutely fine with making this a meat bird instead of a long term project. Any tips? Solutions? Would prefer not to pay vet for surgery but would also prefer not to cull pre-processing age if quality of life remains fine.
by mondays_arebongodays
2 Comments
Castration band?
I work in a vet hospital. Showed this to a doctor and they think it’s likely the extra limbs stay stunted. Might be worth it to see if he does ok with them left intact? If they’re getting blood flow and not inhibiting his ability to live it’s likely fine. Just monitor for stenosis or infection