do chicken's feet feel the cold temps?

[iliamna]

I'm wondering if chickens feel the cold temps of the snow and ice. We get a lot of snow which of course means ice too but they don't seem to mind it too much. My husband thinks they don't have nerves in their feet. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[BrackenFarms]

good question

 

[ella]

They sure do have nerves. They're just a little less wussy than us people about running around in snow and mud.

I did wonder the same thing, but have seen a hen react immediatly to a mosquito landing on her leg. They'll limp if they get a splinter or hurt themselves and if you've ever had to treat a foot injury you'll see just how sensitive those feet are.

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Yes they feel the cold on their feet. sometimes they stand there with one foot raised trying to warm up one foot at at time. when its really cold they'll walk a few feet then set down to cover both feet then get up and walk some more.

Iliamna any chance your from Alaska? I worked over in Iliamna for a while and used to hunt near there every fall.

 

[#1California Chick]

Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[willheveland]

Yes, they do have nerves and feel cold temps. That's why it's important to have proper roosts depending on your climate. Will

 

[Opa]

While a chicken doesn't have as many nerves and blood vessels in their feet and legs, it is like Will said, extremely important that roosts be designed to allow them to sit it such a manner that they cover their extremities. They were originally jungle birds and their physiology is evolved around that origin. Roosts need to be wide enough to allow them to sit not perch. If you watch chickens of round roosts they grasp if with their feet and their bodies are raised.

 

[Kim_NC]

They can feel the cold in their feet. They also have a system designed to help them handle it.

Birds’ legs, including chickens, geese, ducks and wild birds, have a network of arteries called "rete mirabile" (miraculous net) that minimizes heat loss. The arteries that transport warm blood into the legs lie in contact with the veins that return colder blood to the bird’s heart. The arteries warm the veins.

Of course, they do still need proper roosts, etc.

Other species that have rete mirabile include fishes and whales.

Try googling "rete mirabile" to learn more...lots of articles out there.

 

[lovemychix]

Interesting info. I know my spoiled babies won't walk in the snow. They stay inside the coop on cold days.

 

[WriterofWords]

I know mine do, White Boy hates having cold feet and when I get low enough he'll jump up onto any part of my body he can to get off the ground! His feet are like little icecicles!!