Acromegaly (Gigantism)

[Kindergarten Chickens]

I have a 6 week-old chick that has been diagnosed with acromegaly. The vet explained that it is a growth problem due to the pituitary gland sending too much growth hormone. She is very large and is growing and developing very rapidly. The vet explained that she may have a weak heart due to this which may lead to a shortened lifespan. She does get tired more quickly than the other chicks and she tends to overheat. Has anyone dealt with this? Is there any advice you have to help her to survive? I hatched the chicks in the picture myself and they all hatched within a day of each other. S he appears a lot older than she is.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

Wow that’s wild I’ve never heard of that!!! She also looks like she might be a he...

 

[Kindergarten Chickens]

Wow that’s wild I’ve never heard of that!!! She also looks like she might be a he...

That’s true. ‘She’ may be a ‘he’, but we’re not allowed to have roosters in our city. So until I hear a crow, she is a ‘she’ ;-). We're hoping the power of suggestion will work. As far as her condition goes, I have tried researching it and cannot find anything about it. Does anyone out there know what we can expect and how to help her live a long life?

 

[mailmamm]

That’s true. ‘She’ may be a ‘he’, but we’re not allowed to have roosters in our city. So until I hear a crow, she is a ‘she’ ;-). We're hoping the power of suggestion will work. As far as her condition goes, I have tried researching it and cannot find anything about it. Does anyone out there know what we can expect and how to help her live a long life?

I really have to clue on what to do but I would research it in humans and see if that gives any idea of what to expect or how to help your chick.

 

[LaFleche]

Maybe it is just some recessive Cornish genes that happen to link in this cockerel. Looks somewhat like New Hampshire ancestry as well.