Missing toes in Banties...

[Betzz]

I have six chicks my Banties hatched and of the six, two are missing at least one toe from the first joint down. I removed these chicks from the nest immediately upon hatching as the coop wasn’t set up as a safe place for the hens to raise them... there wasn’t any way to separate them from the rooster, so I know the toes weren’t lost after hatching, but before.

Does anyone know of a known deformity in Banties affecting the feet?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have six chicks my Banties hatched and of the six, two are missing at least one toe from the first joint down. I removed these chicks from the nest immediately upon hatching as the coop wasn’t set up as a safe place for the hens to raise them... there wasn’t any way to separate them from the rooster, so I know the toes weren’t lost after hatching, but before.

Does anyone know of a known deformity in Banties affecting the feet?

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

Banty is a term relative to size. What breed chicks did you hatch, how many toes do they have and can you post a photo of what you are concerned about please?

People are SO misinformed and MOST roosters (not teenage cockerels) will protect the chicks, call them to treats, warm them up, and other amazing behaviors seen in an animal that want to spread their seed far and wide.. killing off or damaging their own progeny (for no reason) would be disaster for a species.

 

[Betzz]

Oh, I am not particularly Concerned about these feet as the two birds seem to get around just fine and hatched this way, merely curious. Plus, I was interested in knowing if this is a known genetic element.

As far as these bird’s breeding, I am afraid I use the term Banties rather loosely, simply meaning little birds. They are not purebred anything but crossed from a few I’ve accumulated over the years as gifts by area farmers who know I’ve a fondness for poultry, and as you know, these smaller birds often get Brodie!

 

[RainbowHen]

Do you have any photos?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Plus, I was interested in knowing if this is a known genetic element.

I can't say without seeing photos. I am curious as well!

Most birds have 4 toes total on each foot. Silkies and a few other breeds get 5 toes on each foot. Crosses of the combination can get a combination of 4 or 5 toes and sometimes one of each.

My friend has some inbred Silkies.. sporting 7-ish toes.. the normal ones and then funky toe tips growing out of the poly-dactyl ones. Most toe issues might not have huge impact.. but every thing seen can be an indicator to vigor.. my friends funky toes are indicating reduced vigor IMO.. and more complications will arise by allowing it to continue to propagate among her flock.. even when not breeding to a specific breed standard.. folks should still pay attention and NOT breed from inferior genetics.. Hybrid vigor is awesome!