Rare four-legged chicken finds a new home after hobby farmer saved it from being 'bullied' to death by other birds

  • A four-legged hen has been rehomed 
  • The chook was bullied by other chickens 
  • The Queensland hens pecked at her spine 

A four-legged hen has been rehomed after it was bullied and pecked by other chickens for being different. 

The chicken on a Kairi hobby farm in North Queensland was picked on by her feathered cohorts who relentlessly pecked at her spine, putting the bird at risk of infection.

It is believed the unusual hen suffers from polymelia - a rare condition where one or more extra limbs grow - and it has been known to affect humans, too. 

The owner Jess Leeming took to social media last weekend in a desperate bid to find another home for the hapless chook before her condition deteriorated. 

'I have a four-legged (yes, four-legged) young hen that needs some TLC if anyone is interested?' the post read. 

The owner Jess Leeming took to social media last weekend in a desperate bid to find another home for the hapless chook (pictured) before her condition deteriorated

The owner Jess Leeming took to social media last weekend in a desperate bid to find another home for the hapless chook (pictured) before her condition deteriorated

It is believed the unusual hen (pictured) suffers from polymelia - a rare condition where one or more extra limbs grow

It is believed the unusual hen (pictured) suffers from polymelia - a rare condition where one or more extra limbs grow

'She has a large sore where the end of her spine has been pecked and I think her days are limited unless someone with experience takes over.'

Ms Lemming said the unusual bird could have been a victim of the attacks due to the chooks' natural behaviour. 

'Chickens have a tendency to peck at anything different or new,' she told Daily Mail Australia, adding the extra pair of legs dangling out the back didn't seem to bother the chicken.

'Although we are unsure if her internal systems will be able to pass eggs,' Ms Lemming said. 

The animal lover's grandfather, who is a poultry farmer, said he had never seen a chicken with such a condition. 

Polymelia is a rare genetic birth defect which can affect other animals as well as humans.

Some hens with the rare deformity can have their the legs growing out of various parts of the body including the spine, chest or head.

Meanwhile, online commenters were keen to help as soon as the post went up - which soon led to the businesswoman finding a new home for the hen. 

'Chickens have a tendency to peck at anything different or new,' the chook's owner Jess Lemming said (stock image)

'Chickens have a tendency to peck at anything different or new,' the chook's owner Jess Lemming said (stock image)

Online commenters were keen to help as soon as the post went up about the chicken (pictured) needing a home - which led owner Jess Lemming finding one for her

Online commenters were keen to help as soon as the post went up about the chicken (pictured) needing a home - which led owner Jess Lemming finding one for her

She said it was a huge relief after local wildlife carer Olive Needham took the chook in.

'The chickens had pecked her and made a wound on her back, which was quickly becoming infected. So she needed specialised care to help her heal,' Ms Lemming said. 

Ms Needham said the chicken may need surgery to fix the issue, the Courier-Mail reported.  

Social media lit up with praise after the hen found a home, while others joked about how much the bird is worth.

'Wow! I have seen people do this for cats, dogs etc.. but not a chook,' one wrote. 

'A chook with four drumsticks, surely worth a fortune,' another joked. 

Polymelia in hens

Polymelia is a genetic birth defect and type of congenital malformation of the limbs that can sometimes occur in chickens. 

It is defined as the growth of additional limb(s) attached to various body regions. 

The additional limb or limbs are often shrunken in size and/or deformed. 

The exact cause of this congenital anomaly is unknown, however it is thought to be associated with genetic factors involving transgenes, chromosomes, and/or possible exposure to environmental toxins.

Most of the time, these birds can live normal healthy lives without negative implications resulting from the defect.

When performed by a veterinarian, amputation of the extra limbs has been shown to be successful.

Polymelia in humans 

Polymelia, or congenital duplication of a limb, is an extremely rare entity in humans, with few cases reported in medical literature. 

 Source: Poultry DVM, USA National Library of Medicine 

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