Can you free-range feather-legged breeds? And do their legs get dirty?

[wordgirl]

I'm already dreaming about next spring's batch of chicks

and was wondering if it's hard to keep feather-legged breeds clean, like Cochins or Brahmas. I'd love some Cochins, but I'm thinking their feet might get dirty. Seeing as non-feather-legged chickens' feet already often get...not so pretty...I'm thinking feathered feet and legs would get even more yucky? And can they be free-ranged, or will their leg feathers pick up lots of debris?

Thanks!

 

[AHappychick]

yes they will depending on how muddy your area is but its not too bad

 

[LyonFuzz]

Just like kids, the dirtier they are, the more fun they had I free range my d'uccles and they never get too badly messed up. It's no worse than them giving themselves a dust bath.

 

[Laney]

I free range my LF Cochins. They don't get dirty really. There is some discoloration to their leg feathers that I would attribute to being on mud or dirt, but mostly they take care of their feathers. There is virtually no caking of anything on their feathers or feet unless immediately after a storm. Mine are white and I think that any dirt on their leg feathers would really show.

My birds are in a an approx 3-4acre pasture with my goats. They have a coop but prefer to sleep outdoors. They have the option to leave the pasture as I have not clipped their wings but the Cochin's choose to stay. 99% of the Pasture is grass and weeds. Any mud/dirt is animal created and was grass when we put Animals in the pasture to start with.

Laney

 

[logan]

yes all day their feet would get dirty what we do is keep them in a high off the ground coop. yes they could free range but their feet would get dirty.

 

[gritsar]

My LF brahma have been free ranging since they were chicks, almost two years. Their feet get no dirtier than any other chickens.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Mine freerange (LF Cochins and Bantam Cochins) and they don't get any more dirty than any other chicken's feet.

Mine even hang out in the calf pasture and scratch in calf poo - it comes off - they will groom themselves, also. I have yet to see any of them with crusted caked up feathers on their feet/legs - they get dusty, and sometimes a little muddy, but not too badly.

Unless you are planning to show them and need their feet feathers in pristine condition, I'd say go ahead and buy some and let them wander - they'll love it and they are so pretty out on your lawn

meri

 

[City Gardener]

My brahmas only get dirty feathers when it's muddy out. Otherwise, they seem clean and fluffy.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

We got a little banty rooster with feathers on legs and feet. I was also wondering about the snow and ice. Should I cut those back a bit (so they don't get caked up with snowballs) or as some of you posters said, they will clean themselves.

 

[WriterofWords]

My feather leggers LOVE to play in the dirt and get dirty and they never complain about dirty feet either.