VIDEO: Four-legged emu chick hatches at Nanaimo farm

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The hatching was an extremely rare event, according to research Knuff has undertaken since the weekend.

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VIDEO: Four-legged emu chick hatches at Nanaimo farm

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She said she was unable to find any other cases of an emu with four legs hatching from an egg without help, with the extra limbs typically preventing the bird from breaking free, ultimately killing it.

A reason for the deformity is unknown, with temperature, humidity, errors in the cell structure, or just plain luck all potential factors.

The days since have been filled with multiple hours of therapy for the young chick, under the guidance of emu experts from multiple countries.

Knuff said when the bird started walking, he effectively was doing so with clenched fists.

“His joints are fully flexible now. I’ve been very carefully and very patiently doing wire around his foot with vet wrap and popsicle sticks. I’ve even been using some craft supplies to get everything into the way it should be…it’s taken a lot of trial and error.”

She said most treatments where she has to wrap the bird’s feet result in the emu falling asleep in her lap.

Knuff has now had 12 emu chicks hatch on the farm over recent months, with the typical emu egg-laying window spanning from January into the spring.

Eleven have occurred without any issue.

With more mobility, Knuff has been working on getting the bird out and more active, which has been its own challenge.

“I tried putting this guy in with my other emu chicks, and they immediately started to peck at him and try to rip at his limbs, so I tried with chicken chicks and the same thing happened. I tried some ducklings as a last resort, and they are thriving really well together.”

Knuff and her fiancé are planning to move to Atlantic Canada in the coming months, having purchased a farm in Nova Scotia.

She said they’re hopeful to re-home the emu and the ducklings together, once the newest addition to the flock is healthy and thriving.

The emu will go for X-rays and tests at a local vet clinic in the days or weeks to come, to help further inform treatment and its future.

Already running around, following hours of therapy, the emu chick has settled in with a flock of ducklings. (Image Credit: Celina Knuff/Back to Nature Acres)

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