puffball Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Hi there, My little, white, silkie bantam is very sweet but I am concerned about her welfare. She has six toes on each foot whilst all my other chickens(different breeds to Puffball) have five. Is this normal for a silkie bantam? Should I be concerned? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 (edited) Hiya Puffball, welcome to the forum. I dont think your silkie having 6 toes will cause any problems to her welfare, maybe for breeding purposes it might. If your silkie is fine in her self and is eating and drinking she should be fine. If you think she is in any pain then i would take her to a vet. xx Edited August 17, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 chicken breeds have different amounts anyway and people rarely notice. I doubt they'll count hers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted August 17, 2007 Author Share Posted August 17, 2007 Thanks! I am glad to know it is nothing to worry about! She is eating and drinking fine so she is ok! YAY!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 I just looked up my chicken book - it says sometimes chickens have an extra fifth toe, particularly silkie bantams. But no mention of a sixth one! It also says they have blue black skin, and that, less well known, is the fact that the pigmentation goes through to the meat and bones and the Chinese attribute healing properties to this pigmentation (well, you wouldn't know unless you were eating one I suppose!!) But they do look fluffy and appealing in the pictures. Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Thats good to know!!! I love your avatar, is that puffball??? xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted August 17, 2007 Author Share Posted August 17, 2007 Wow thanks very much for looking it up for me. (I am hoping I counted my chickens toes right or they all have five toes? Yikes! I had better go check!) In the medieval times when a person had six fingers they were believed to be a witch-you don't possibly think...? Yes thats Puffball! You can see where she gets her nickname!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Hi Puffball, Silkies SHOULD have 6 toes - its an feature of the breed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted August 17, 2007 Author Share Posted August 17, 2007 THANKS! Glad to know Puffy is ok Is Golden egg the best you can be on here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Goodness, I didn't even know I was one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted August 17, 2007 Author Share Posted August 17, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
