Feathered feet question

[Chold05]

I have 2 cuckoo Marans with feathered feet. Almost 3 years old. One of them seems to always have more issues than the other one with the feet feathers.

I’m not sure how to describe this but here we go… I noticed a few times where a foot feather comes in, it’s still partially wrapped in the sheath but the part that’s out is extremely hard and kind of crumbles when you bend it. Almost like it died while in the sheath? Is this normal? Is it because it lost blood supple and died? She recently had one that actually started to twist/curl and grew pretty long. She plucked that out. They seem to bother her.

I attached a photo of a feather from my hens foot. I was hesitant to pull it out… she ended up plucking this one out herself too. I found it in the coop.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

So what is your question?

 

[Chold05]

So what is your question?

Wondering if it’s normal or If it’s caused by lack of blood supply (possibly due to damage) that makes it so hard. They seem to bother her quite a bit. Just curious about it and didnt really find any information when I googled it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't know. Let's ask some of the experts.
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
@azygous

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't know either.

Must have been bothering her.

 

[3KillerBs]

I've never had any issues with any of the feather-footed girls.

If she's always had this issue it's probably genetic and she should probably not be bred.

If it only just showed up it might be from an injury or it might be an effect of aging.