Extra toe on my RI Red???

[Peep Peeper]

Anyone ever see this before? I know she's a hen, but it almost looks like a spur??? It's only on one leg.

 

[Stiggy]

that's a spur. hens do sometimes get them, mainly when they are older or if there is a hormone imbalance etc etc

 

[Peep Peeper]

She's only a year old. Could explain why I've only been getting 5 eggs a day lately when I have 6 chickens though. Weird. Is there anything I should be doing if it is a hormone imbalance?

 

[Stiggy]

I don't really know much about hormone imbalences in chickens, its not something that I come across very often in my own flock. I wouldn't worry about it unless she starts crowing and mating the others ( it happens sometimes, they become 'butch' and take on the males role if there isn't a male in the flock) just keep that spur trimmed back/ filed down so that the point doesn't injure her or anyone else. I use a pedi paws tow nail file/ grinder on my roosters spurs just to blunt the ends off. If she is other wise healthy and happy then I wouldn't worry about it. Possibly but remember that they don't lay every day, so at her age 5-6 eggs a week could be expected if she is in top condition, enough food, protein and calcium etc