Managing Feathered Feet -- A Poll and a Conversation

[DonyaQuick]

One day I would like to add some feather footed chickens. I didn't get any feather feet in my first batch of chickens because I was worried it would be a recipe for foot frostbite in the winter if I couldn't keep the run dry or if they stepped in an icy water bowl in -10F. This may sound strange but I also wanted to be able to inspect foot health really easily since I kept seeing bumblefoot horror stories when I was reading up on things prior to getting chickens and ended up more paranoid about that than I needed to be.

My chickens are pets and hop into my lap, so I don't want to deal with dirty/poopy feathers bringing extra filth into my lap.

I had never thought about that. I get poop-footed and mud-footed plenty with my bare leg chickens and have coop pants because of that, but it would indeed be worse if it was a messy feathery foot. The other day one of my girls found some ancient cecal poo that must have been alternating getting frozen and thawed for some time. It was one of the worst things I've ever smelled and of course she stepped right in the middle of it and then hopped up for hugs before I realized what was going on. It was so bad that the other chickens that wanted hugs had one sniff of that footprint on my pants and went "actually nah I'm good" and walked off lol. I had to take miss stink-foot into the house and wipe her foot off with a paper towel, but I guess it would have been a proper foot bath in a bowl of water with a feather foot.

 

[K0k0shka]

One day I would like to add some feather footed chickens. I didn't get any feather feet in my first batch of chickens because I was worried it would be a recipe for foot frostbite in the winter if I couldn't keep the run dry or if they stepped in an icy water bowl in -10F. This may sound strange but I also wanted to be able to inspect foot health really easily since I kept seeing bumblefoot horror stories when I was reading up on things prior to getting chickens and ended up more paranoid about that than I needed to be.



I had never thought about that. I get poop-footed and mud-footed plenty with my bare leg chickens and have coop pants because of that, but it would indeed be worse if it was a messy feathery foot. The other day one of my girls found some ancient cecal poo that must have been alternating getting frozen and thawed for some time. It was one of the worst things I've ever smelled and of course she stepped right in the middle of it and then hopped up for hugs before I realized what was going on. It was so bad that the other chickens that wanted hugs had one sniff of that footprint on my pants and went "actually nah I'm good" and walked off lol. I had to take miss stink-foot into the house and wipe her foot off with a paper towel, but I guess it would have been a proper foot bath in a bowl of water with a feather foot.

Haha oh yeah, cecals are the worst! I do NOT want a feathered foot matted with cecal poop anywhere near me! Hard nope on the feathered feet from me.

 

[Cloverr39]

I have silkies and a bantam brahma. All have feathered legs, but my brahma hen has the most. I like them because I love the way they look. There's just something adorable about a super fluffy chicken that has floof from head to toe. That's just my personal preference.

The only problems I've had would be mud getting in the feathers. Over the winter my brahma hen's legs had gotten really muddy. That's why I cut the feathers shorter. It's also easier for her to walk/run when they're shorter.

My chickens live on just plain black dirt (as you can see in the 2nd picture). Also I'm sorry if something isn't written correctly. English isn't my first language.

 

[oldhenmisschick]

I have Silkies and Cochin bantams. Some have feet feathers that rival their wing feathers! Most free range, and their feathers break off with wear and tear. They get muddy and dusty and dirty, but it doesn't bother me. I still think they are the cutest things!! I have sandy soil and lots trees and leaves. The feathers don't interfere with their scratching about or the dust baths. No problems with bugs. Northern Florida so no ice, they get muddy in the rain, but clean themselves off well. The white ones get dirt stains but I don't mind.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I have four chickens with feathered feet (cochins and d'uccles) and I really like them. Sure their feathers get dirty, but they do a very good job of cleaning them up on their own.

 

[dirkandlorie]

Don't have them, don't want them. Personally I don't like the look. They look messy and unnatural. My chickens are pets and hop into my lap, so I don't want to deal with dirty/poopy feathers bringing extra filth into my lap. I also live in a cold climate and don't want the added risk of ice lingering on their feet. I don't want to deal with the other chickens picking on the feathered feet, because chickens are dumb racists and will totally do that to someone who looks different I also don't like it when people stray too far from what nature and evolution intended, just for the sake of human amusement. So I don't like chickens with feathered feet, frizzled feathers, top knots that obscure their vision, or other aesthetic human whims that compromise the bird in some way just for the look.

"Chickens are dumb racists" lmao, thank you for the good laugh! We've been saying for the last year that everything is racist anymore, and I think you just proved it! Lol

 

[K0k0shka]

"Chickens are dumb racists" lmao, thank you for the good laugh! We've been saying for the last year that everything is racist anymore, and I think you just proved it! Lol

Well, cuz it's true. Chickens very specifically do not like or accept those who are too different. A lot of people are like that, too, but chickens are shameless and open about it.

 

[dirkandlorie]

Well, cuz it's true. Chickens very specifically do not like or accept those who are too different. A lot of people are like that, too, but chickens are shameless and open about it.

I am so sorry you have had that experience with your chickens. I have a mixed flock, red sex link, black sex link, ameraucana, Easter eggers, marans , rocks and Cochin. All different colors and sizes (Omg, that Cochin is huge) Mixed ages also, and they all live harmoniously. Very few pecking order issues even. Don't think they're racist at all. Wish people could all get along as well my girls! (which probably explains why I surround myself with so many animals instead of people, lol)

 

[K0k0shka]

I am so sorry you have had that experience with your chickens. I have a mixed flock, red sex link, black sex link, ameraucana, Easter eggers, marans , rocks and Cochin. All different colors and sizes (Omg, that Cochin is huge) Mixed ages also, and they all live harmoniously. Very few pecking order issues even. Don't think they're racist at all. Wish people could all get along as well my girls! (which probably explains why I surround myself with so many animals instead of people, lol)

In a mixed flock, nobody stands out because they are all different. So they’ll get along. But try an all white flock with a single red chicken in it. Or all clean-legged flock and a single feather-legged chicken. They’ll harass the crap out of it! That’s what I mean. It’s the same with people. Those who have grown up in very diverse areas with a very mixed population, are more accepting of people who don’t look like them. But in a homogeneous society, if a different person suddenly moves in, they are seen as an “other”, and a lot of people react very negatively towards otherness.

 

[dirkandlorie]

In a mixed flock, nobody stands out because they are all different. So they’ll get along. But try an all white flock with a single red chicken in it. Or all clean-legged flock and a single feather-legged chicken. They’ll harass the crap out of it! That’s what I mean. It’s the same with people. Those who have grown up in very diverse areas with a very mixed population, are more accepting of people who don’t look like them. But in a homogeneous society, if a different person suddenly moves in, they are seen as an “other”, and a lot of people react very negatively towards otherness.

Yes dear, all my chickens are clean legged except the cochin. It doesn't happen. The Cochin was also introduced to the flock by herself, she was a rescue. Still doesn't happen. I have to agree that there are horrible people out there that might not like others because they're different. I will have to concede that there might be horrible chickens out there with the same attitude. But I have never seen it, not in my flock or in any people I've ever come across.