Had my heart set on bantam cochins but worried about dirty feet

[Groo]

I'm getting 6 or 8 chickens in the spring to raise with my grndsons. I want really friendly, small birds that are cold hardy (Maine winters!). After doing research, I decided Bantam Cochins were the perfect birds for us, but reading deeper, I see a number of people say their feet are always dirty. Is this a big issue?

 

[FireTigeris]

How will you keep them? (coop-run or free ranged, or both?)

My birds don't free range in Hawk Migration (about to lose their privileges here in FL) - when free ranged And/or the cage is pressure washed out - my feather legged and booted birdies are fine, if I'm sick for too long or we go on vacation I do tend to spend extra time making a wading area with the water bowl inside (so they have to get their feet wet to drink, about a 1/4 inch in a kiddo pool with the galvanized waterer on bricks in the center so they are not drinking foot wash water).

They mine clean overall.

 

[Groo]

The swimming pool is a great idea. I would think they might like that in the hot weather especially. I plan to have them in their run during the day while I'm at work and then free-ranging when I'm home. I was going to put a course sand on the floor of the run. Thanks for your response. I can't wait til Spring!