Managing Feathered Feet -- A Poll and a Conversation

[3KillerBs]

Does anyone have some direct, side-by-side comparison of dealing with the scaly leg mites on feathered and clean-legged birds? So that we can all be correctly informed and educated about the situation?

I have, thank God, never yet had to deal with any kind of parasite issue for either this flock or the prior, in-town flock.

 

[3KillerBs]

So, question for the feathered-foot lovers in harsh winter areas,

Do your feather-footed birds show any reduced tendency to frostbitten toes in severe cold? I don't really get winter where I am so I've wondered.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

So, question for the feathered-foot lovers in harsh winter areas,

Do your feather-footed birds show any reduced tendency to frostbitten toes in severe cold? I don't really get winter where I am so I've wondered.

I've never had any frostbite in my flock but I would think feather feet reduce frostbite on toes

 

[3KillerBs]

I've never had any frostbite in my flock but I would think feather feet reduce frostbite on toes

That would be my *guess*, but I wondered if anyone has direct experience.

 

[NatJ]

So, question for the feathered-foot lovers in harsh winter areas,

Do your feather-footed birds show any reduced tendency to frostbitten toes in severe cold? I don't really get winter where I am so I've wondered.

@JacinLarkwell
I think I remember you saying that your birds with feathered feet had less trouble with frostbite than the ones with clean feet?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@JacinLarkwell
I think I remember you saying that your birds with feathered feet had less trouble with frostbite than the ones with clean feet?

Yes, forgot to add that. Out of the tens of dozens of birds that have stayed over winters here over the years, 1 feather footed bird here got severe frost bite, and the loss of toes happened before he came into my possession.

Where as my clean legged birds fare far worse. I have probably 100 birds total currently. Roughly 15 are feather legged fully and 3 are sparsely feathered. The rest are clean legged. Out of those clean legged birds, maybe 20 have all their nails. The rest either are missing multiple nails, knuckles or complete toes.

Several have also had frozen feet that result in the loss of the foot entirely and have had to be put down.


I think part of the cold intolerance is hereditary, but I still also believe that feathered legs are far less likely to get frostbite, let alone severely

 

[3KillerBs]

Out of the tens of dozens of birds that have stayed over winters here over the years, 1 feather footed bird here got severe frost bite, and the loss of toes happened before he came into my possession.

I wonder if he had gotten his foot feathers wet?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wonder if he had gotten his foot feathers wet?

It's possible. I really don't know.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I've had silkies and a cochin. But I had the cochin a few years ago so I don't really remember.

Poop and mud will stick to the silkie's feet feathers. The biggest problem for me is when I need to clean them for show. But if I don't plan on showing them it isn't really a problem for me.

 

[My Bagurks]

I only have a few feather footed chickens. 3 hens and I had a rooster until an unfortunate dog attack. All four were RIR and brauma crosses. Both parents were pure(as far as they knew).

They definitely collect more mud than the other chickens, but no issues have ever developed.

My soul has a high clay content and a good bit of sand. I’m in central western Alabama.

My run can get pretty muddy. I try to keep a swale dug to drain, but we get tons of rain here.

I’ve kept an extra eye on their feet because of the horror stories I’ve heard, but thankfully never saw anything to be concerned about.

I’ve never seen ice or any kind of cold injuries, but all of my roosting bars are 1x2s laid broad side up. So when they sleep their toes are flat against their bellies.

I guess I’ve been lucky because I honestly haven’t done anything special to avoid any issues either.