Heard the one about the three-legged chick?

By [cawhite]

AN EGGS-TRA special arrival has given a poultry enthusiast a real coup.

A three-legged chicken was discovered among a clutch of chicks hatched by breeder Nev Makey of Church Lane, Tetney.

The tri-umphant breeder hopes to create a new three-legged strain of his Sussex cross-Silky chickens and clinch a deal with the likes of Kentucky Fried Chicken or McDonald's.

The odd variety could put Nev's chicken's ahead of rivals and boost income from chicken legs by a third.

He has called his latest chick Jake after the Rolf Harris song Jake The Peg.

He said: "I will have a job keeping up with him because he will be able to run faster with an extra leg.

"I wonder if I will be able to catch him for Christmas dinner."

Nev, 67, doubts there was any foul play by Jake's father.

"But if I ever find out which one it was," he added, "he would not have a leg to stand on."

The retired garden centre owner said he would consider preparing his new flock for an animal Olympics – and he is not bothered if it ruffles feathers among other breeders.

Nev Makey of Tetney with the his two-day-old chicken.

The two-day old chicken which was born with three legs.

He said: "He would be a good bet in the three-legged race or in the long jump."

He warned he would not neglect his other interest – breeding of ornamental ducks, pheasants and geese – adding: "You can't put all your eggs in one basket."

But Nev admitted Jake was number one in his pecking order.

He said: "I have seen a lamb with two heads and a cow with just three legs – one at the front and two and the back. But I have never heard of a three-legged chicken before."

Aw, if you think Jake's cute, watch some more animal videos here...