Webbed toed Brahma chick...a problem?

[saylernsaxonsmom]

One of my Dark Brahma chicks has a set of webbed toes. Is this a common problem? She's about five weeks old. I haven't notice any other differences between her and her sisters, aside from the toes. I just wondered if this could lead to other issues down the line... Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[gritsar]

I haven't seen it with any of my brahmas, but I only have 14.
I doubt it will be a problem if it isn't preventing her from moving around okay.

 

[pgpoultry]

I've never had webbed feet in any of mine.
Do you know if they were inbred?
I wouldn't have thought that it would cause a problem in the chick, but it could be that the trait is inherited.

Sandie

 

[saylernsaxonsmom]

We live in a pretty rural part of Texas, so I had to order from a hatchery in order to get my Brahmas. I'm not sure how well the hatcheries monitor the genetics of their birds...I would hope that is considered, but I'm doubtful it's a top priority. After I posted, I did a BYC search on the topic and someone had suggested to another poster that it was caused by a Biotin deficiency in the mama during the egg laying cycle. Anyone heard about that?

Thanks again for the help!

(BTW, little Bella is doing very well. Good thing her feet are feathered so the other girls can't make fun of her jacked-up toes! Poor thing will never be able to get a pedicure...

 

[BackToMyRoots]

I keep picturing chickens soaking their feet with spa towels wrapped around their heads!