The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Janette1970 on September 28, 2009, 04:40:20 pm

Title: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: Janette1970 on September 28, 2009, 04:40:20 pm: I have just taken on a couple of 10 week old chicks from a man in the village (bit of a long story!!) He was keeping them in a cardboard box!!!! I had a brand new pen for my impending ex-batts, so thought I would take them on. THEY ARE SOOOO SWEET. They love it when I scrat upworks for them and sit on my knee for their daily dose of dandelion leaves.
I have noticed that the cockerel (we think he is?!?!?) has the usual three toes at the front, then one that lies towards the back of the foot. On this 'toe' he has a fifth toe growing out of it, branching off! It is small but perfectly formed. We think he might be a banty, but again,not sure.
I don't think it will cause him any problems, just wondered if anyone had ever seen this before?
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: Roxy on September 28, 2009, 04:48:18 pm: Is it his "spurs" coming ......they grow quite long and are lethal if he jumps at your leg and uses them .....seems a bit young to have those yet though.
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: BadgerFace on September 28, 2009, 04:48:40 pm: Could he be a dorking or dorking cross. I have a dorking cross wyandotte and he has five toes :chook:
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: Janette1970 on September 28, 2009, 05:00:13 pm: I was told the spurs come higher up the back of the leg ?!?!?

I have no idea what he is bless him. He is grey with darker grey bands on his feathers. He's just got some new feathers around the top of his 'shoulders' that have some golden brown in. He has a LOVELY little bright red comb and his chin dangly bits (technical term in lincolnshire ;) ) are getting bigger and bright red.
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: Roxy on September 28, 2009, 05:01:18 pm: He sounds very nice, whatever his extra toe is!!!
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: BadgerFace on September 28, 2009, 05:04:22 pm: I've found a photo of my Dorking x wyandotte bantie. Not a brilliant photo but you can see on his left leg just below his spur, two toes - he has the normal three on the front.
I think Dorking's are the only breed to have five toes, but happy to learn otherwise.

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/flipper66/IMG_0415-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: Janette1970 on September 28, 2009, 05:56:56 pm: BLOODY NORA they're huge!!! Definately not spurs then on little George's toe! His fifth on branches off his back/4th toe.
I've called him George and his female companion Mildred! ;D You won't get this if you are under 30!!! Needless to say SHE is the boss. They are sooooooo cute.
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: doganjo on September 28, 2009, 06:02:24 pm: Extra toes or not that little chick has found the perfect home! Fantastic names! I haven't named any of my ten hens, nor my three ducks but I can see my wee grand-daughter wanting to do that just as soon as she has perfected her command of sentences - at the moment it's still two word ones, but we are progressing, and VERY possessive - MY this and My that! It'll be My Jamie(Light Sussex cockerel) and MY Jack (Dutch blue drake) very soon.
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: Janette1970 on September 28, 2009, 06:08:30 pm: My nephew (1) came round the other day and insisted they were all quack quacks!! ;D He then ate their corn!!!! Boys will be boys!!
Bet his nappy was interesting :D
Title: Re: Deformed Cockerel
Post by: xnbacon on September 29, 2009, 02:31:53 pm: Silkies also have five toes, I found out recently, only they have dark legs and are, well, fluffy!!