Genetic fault or inbreeding?

[Lobodugald]

Good day everyone.
I was wondering if there is a particular gene for six toes in chickens or if six toes are as a result of inbreeding?
Of our white Silkie pair the hen has a sixth toe fused to her fifth toe.
Now the breeder did take it upon himself to mention to us that the pair is NOT related to one another but now some of the babies that they have had also have six toes on one of their feet. The sixth toe is also fused to one of the other toes.
Extra info: both parents are leaking some stripy colour on their leg and feet feathers which has passed to ALL of the babies.
Both parents seem to have yellow in them which I was told on this website is normal but the babies came out with a lot of buff colour in them.
Any case, just wondering about the six toe deformity and why this happens?
Keep well everyone!

 

[Sydney Acres]

Silkies have the polydactyl gene. Most chickens have only 4 toes. Silkies are supposed to have 5 toes, which requires the polydactyl gene. That gene is what allows the bird to have more than 4 toes. However, the polydactyl gene can be a bit naughty. It sometimes acts up and you get bizarre toe formations. That's just what it does, even without inbreeding or other specific reasons.

 

[Rainwing]

i had a silkie rooster from a hatchery who had a toe growing off of its extra toe. plus he had his spur always weirded me out... too many toes..

 

[Lobodugald]

Silkies have the polydactyl gene. Most chickens have only 4 toes. Silkies are supposed to have 5 toes, which requires the polydactyl gene. That gene is what allows the bird to have more than 4 toes. However, the polydactyl gene can be a bit naughty. It sometimes acts up and you get bizarre toe formations. That's just what it does, even without inbreeding or other specific reasons.

Oh wow thank you so very much for this info, what a great help! You must keep well then.