Chickens with feathers on their feet ... are they hard to care for?

[Chirpy]

I would love to have some Brahmas but have been told that they are "difficult" to care for because of their leg/feet feathers. They can't get muddy or wet? Is this true? Do I have to go to special lengths to keep birds with feathers on their feet?

 

[missusduray]

I havent had go to any special measures so far. I have 5 brahmas and 1 cochin and 2 silkies. So far so good. I wouldnt sat that they are any harder to care for than any other chicken. Mine are almost 8 weeks old now. They do just as good as the ones with no feathers on their feet.
Kristyne

 

[justusnak]

I have Langshans....standard size, and Frizzle, banty size. Both are feathered feet birds. They play in the mud just like the rest of the chickens. Maybe the reason someone told you that was because they will get muddy, and if you are planning on showing them, they have to be kept on pine shaveings all the time, to keep the feathers nice and clean. I say....go get some, you will love them.!

 

[brooster]

I have two light brahmas, and have never had a problem. You should get some they are so sweet and friendly.

 

[pharr389]

i have 2 light brahma's. they love to stand in the water trough with the rest of the chickens. no special care needed.

 

[cheepchicks]

All my chickens have feathered feet and the ones with the most feathers live with 4 ducks and they have no troubles with all the muck the ducks create.

Kim

 

[featherfooted]

I have dark brahmas, cochins and d'Uccles and I haven't had any problems. Their feathered feet don't look as good as show birds, but they're happy. I just love the brahmas. They are so friendly and mine are great layers. And they are not loud like others can be. Get some, You'll love them.

Georgia

 

[Dawn419]

I have a few 9 week old Mottled Cochins and Silkies (both Bantams) and have had no problems with their feathered feet. Their coop/run has a solid roof (plastic picnic table top for now, tin in the future) so it keeps what little rain we get out and everyone stays dry.

 

[Rosalind]

I have five Partridge Cochins, and they seem to manage their feet just fine. Mine are actually very fastidious, if they step in something yucky they make a big deal of scratching in clean pine shavings, preening and shaking off their feet.

Bear in mind, I was also assured repeatedly that Cochins are sweet-tempered birds who love to be friendly. Maybe other people's Cochins are good pets, but mine are total jerks that bite and beat up on the smaller birds. On the plus side, my roosters are real tough guys who attempt to take on any predator.

 

[seedcorn]

do you have standard or bantam cochins? My bantams were always very laid back. Bantams are easy to care for just make sure the roost isn't too high as jumping down from high roost can injure their feet.