Do You Like Feather-Footed Chickens?

[The Welch Chickens]

No. Looks messy, even when the feet are clean.

I've never had any myself, though. Some Marans are coming with my batch of chicks in March, so I guess I'll see if I like the feet or not. Maybe I'll have to change my vote!

 

[jessejeanne]

I don't know what your other breeds are, but the brahma over here are terrible diggers. Their holes are nothing but superficial

I will always be amazed by how different chickens can be just by their breed alone! I have Belgian Malines and Barnevelders bantams, my Barnevelders aren’t that much of diggers compared to my Malines, which is funny since they don’t have any feathered feet

 

[fluffycrow]

I have always heard that feather-footed breeds destroy more things when foraging because their feathers can push it out of the way, but it sounds like the opposite would really happen: the feathers on their feet would wear down from digging too much.

Destroy, possibly. Destruction doesn't prove efficiency, however

 

[jessejeanne]

What kind of illnesses have you experienced with Brahmas?

My friend bought Brahma pullets last year, and all of them died because of coccidiosis. I did a quick research in my language and in several articles people stated that it wasn’t a very strong breed regarding sicknesses etc… I chose Barnevelders and Malines since people here say that they’re more resistant against parasites and all.

 

[fluffycrow]

I will always be amazed by how different chickens can be just by their breed alone! I have Belgian Malines and Barnevelders bantams, my Barnevelders aren’t that much of diggers compared to my Malines, which is funny since they don’t have any feathered feet

It is interesting to see, I agree. If never kept those breeds, but all my birds with feathered feet struggle greatly to dig properly. A shallow depression on some soft dirt for a dust bath takes my aseel male about half a minute to make. I've yet to see a brahma (pure or mix) make a hole of her own

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

My brahma is one of my best diggers. She dust baths and digs a ton. And in Wisconsin it gets wet i havent noticed a problem yet.
Someone in my town also owns a flock of almost all brahmas that are 3. And they havent gotten sick and his yard is full of holes.
I have to cut the nails on my Buff Orpington cause she doesnt dig enough.

 

[jessejeanne]

It is interesting to see, I agree. If never kept those breeds, but all my birds with feathered feet struggle greatly to dig properly. A shallow depression on some soft dirt for a dust bath takes my aseel male about half a minute to make. I've yet to see a brahma (pure or mix) make a hole of her own

Oh that sounds quite sad. I have to say that a lot of people told me that my Malines would destroy my garden since they’re known for being good diggers; but I always forget that xD Brahma’s wouldn’t do well in my clay-like soil.

 

[jessejeanne]

My brahma is one of my best diggers. She dust baths and digs a ton. And in Wisconsin it gets wet i havent noticed a problem yet.
Someone in my town also owns a flock of almost all brahmas that are 3. And they havent gotten sick and his yard is full of holes.
I have to cut the nails on my Buff Orpington cause she doesnt dig enough.

@fluffycrow haha maybe it still differs from chicken to chicken individually? Chickens are so interesting

 

[jessejeanne]

My brahma is one of my best diggers. She dust baths and digs a ton. And in Wisconsin it gets wet i havent noticed a problem yet.
Someone in my town also owns a flock of almost all brahmas that are 3. And they havent gotten sick and his yard is full of holes.
I have to cut the nails on my Buff Orpington cause she doesnt dig enough.

It could be that the breed here is slightly weaker than in the US; I have no idea if there are differences between chicken breeds over the world but I’d guess it would make sense. My friend also bought them from a place that might’ve been not the best place to buy them, which maybe caused them to be weaker.

 

[fluffycrow]

My brahma is one of my best diggers. She dust baths and digs a ton. And in Wisconsin it gets wet i havent noticed a problem yet.
Someone in my town also owns a flock of almost all brahmas that are 3. And they havent gotten sick and his yard is full of holes.
I have to cut the nails on my Buff Orpington cause she doesnt dig enough.

How much leg feather do your birds have?