conjoined hatchling - urgent advice!!

cotoletta

Songster
7 Years
Jul 17, 2014
69
31
116
London England
Please someone help me! This is the second time I have raised chicks from an incubator. Three chicks this time round - the first two hatched within a few hours from pipping. Perfect looking balls of fluff. My third took a full 48 hours but managed to.come out of the shell BUT she has four legs. I've never experienced this and I.can't find any.info on internet.on conjoined chickens. She has two extra legs and feet in betwee:rolleyes:n her usual legs and feet. I'm totally baffled. Please does anyone have advice? She is.sprightly and well, only hatched this am. I have a picture I can post . Thanking you
 
Is she walking? She may be able to live that way. It depends what other deformities she has and if the extra legs interfere with anything. It's a rare deformity, also happens in other animals rarely. "Google 4 legged chiicken."
 
She can't really stand up well, leans forward as there is a large lump underneath her then the two legs. The extra legs do not actually move they are curled up. But she is sprightly and well. I need to go out to work but once I'm back I will upload a picture. The only thing I'm worried about is when (if she is a she) she comes to lay. I know there is a condition where if a hen can't release an egg its not good news and should be put down, I can't remember what the condition is. Ahhh such a tough decision :( thank you for your help I appreciate it
 
Just to say thanks for advice. Spoke to local farm where I got the eggs and they suggested to cull it. She was becoming weak and couldn't stand up. Very sad to do but best for her. Trying to upload a pic for you to see. Thanks again
 
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I am soooo sorry. Poor little thing.

Depending on how much time you have to put into working with him, you may wish to try a chick chair to see if his outer pair of legs can get stronger and allow him to eat on his own.

I'm sorry there hasn't been much response to your original post, but honestly? There's not likely to be a whole bunch of folks who've successfully (read: got a cojoined chick to live past a few weeks) handled what you've got on your hands.

Here's a thought, and forgive me if it's too morbid, but ... any chance you might know any taxidermists? I'm thinking a good taxidermist might LOVE to have this little one after he's expired.

Of course, with care, there is a possibility that he might survive. Especially if it's a cockerel. Keep us updated, please.
 

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