4 legged chicken restarted 7/15/09

[bleu chick]

I am starting a new post since the other was getting long and issues have changed. Quatro my 4 legged pullet is doing well. She is the same size as the other chicks in her hatch. She is very much a momma's girl and still trys to get under momma at night.

She is 43 days old today. Eating good, drinking good. Poop looks good. Both vents are still working. Extra legs are getting in the way as they grow becuase they are very stiff. They have feathers coming out near the top. Also, the extra legs are starting to get sores. Not open wounds.

I decided on not taking her to the vet. I really cant afford to drop several hundred on a chicken that may not survive. I wish I could find someone interested in removing the limbs for research value. I have contacted many a vet and universities to no avail.

Here's Quatro's new pics:

 

[threehorses]

Boy she's a pretty little blue, isn't she?

What about troubleshooting some ways of keeping those legs cleaner? plucking her feathers on the spare legs? etc?

I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to amputate the spare limbs while leaving the spare vent intact? Still that gets pricey. You might think in terms of that, however.

I do know from my unfortunate recent experience with bird amputations that if they do it, they want to cut the bone - not necessarily leave the joint intact. According to my vet's theory, leaving the joint means the joints will keep secreting joint fluid - which builds up. Removing the ball of the joint means the bone will leak air into the wound for a bout a week, but will then stop. (And it's true - mine did for 3 days and then stopped.)

If you consider it, let me know and I'll tell you all I've learned from Ella's wing amputation.

In the mean time, if we can get the leg placement thing solved, she looks lovely.

 

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

Is this genetic? Would it manifest itself in the her offspring?

 

[Shannonwbl]

It is a long shot, but have you thought about contacting a local TV station? I have been in the PR biz and dealt with them quite a bit and many times they will pick up a story like this. If so you will likely find someone who will be willing to help out. Worth a try and heaven knows it would be nice to hear a good, uplifting animal story instead of all the other "news" we are hearing.

 

[giasmom]

Quote:
Great idea, I bet you WOULD find a vet willing to do it or free & for the advertising ! Its a plan ! Now start the ball rolling, & don't forget to plug BYC while your at it !!!! Quatro, You are such a sweety !!!!

 

[Mahonri]

If you were here in Phoenix, I'd give it a try. I'm handy like that with a scalpel and sutures.

 

[Silkiefan]

How much $ to remove the extra legs? Maybe we could take up a collection for Quattro? I vote for sending $ to your vet! How many BYC Chickeneers would be big hearted enough to send in 5-20 $ to help?

 

[tigerlilly2588]

Wow! Its curious, have you noticed that the extra set of legs are not the same color as hers?! If the extra legs were a result of an identical/ conjoined twin that had gotton reabsorbed, wouldn't they be the same color?! Or perhaps she could have hatched from one of those double yolkers, in which case there would have been two separate embryos that oddly somehow fused? Or maybe the extra set would naturally be the same color, but are just pale from lack of bloodflow? Anyway I suppose it will forever remain a mystery

 

[Fancie]

I once had a zebra finch that got some wire from the avaiary wrapped around her foot. (I used window netting at first... mistake)

Anyway I found it probably 2 or 3 days later and removed the wire but the foot was already dead from lack of circulation. It turned brown, than black and eventually fell off.

You may be able to do the same for the chicken.

 

[chickensioux]

Quote:
Ooh, I think this is an excellent idea. You never know. She looks like she is doing pretty good. A little special needs baby tho' for sure.