6167– The Kosher Fancy Animals? -
Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a. Is it true that animals that are born attached to each other or have an extra head are Kasher?
A. Poskim write that Poskim in Verona were asked about two chicks that were attached from the side, and it appeared that they came from two different egg yolks, since they had two heads, two necks, four feet, and both heads were able to eat are kosher. They compared it to the creatures from the Six Days of Creation. Halachot Ketanot (vol. 1, 249).
According to the opinion that Adam was created [i.e. Adam and his partner originally formed one back-to-back person], the other animals of creation were also possibly created so. If they [the chickens] live for twelve months, you may slaughter both heads like one (so as not to [invalidate the slaughtering by way of] waiting [in the middle of slaughtering, and the chicks may be eaten. Halachos Ketanos (vol. 1, §249).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Reviewed by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: November 6, 2026