The Poultry Keeper

Bhindi · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject: Yellow patches on feet

Im probably being paranoid... but today I noticed one of my girls, (not the one I suspected of laying soft eggs) has got quite strong patches of yellow inbetween her toes, I have never noticed this before and feel that its new. Shes a Black Rock in her 3rd year, eats healthily other the tannilised diet from the wood pecking, (though she was doing it the least!).

Any thoughts... please,,

Thanks, Claire

Knobby · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:13 pm Post subject:

I always thought that as they get old there legs change colour..........??? Something to do with telling how much longer theyve got left to carry on layong ??? Wink

Bhindi · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:26 pm Post subject:

mmm, that was an obscure answer Knobby...
So do you think yellow's an acceptable colour then?

Knobby · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:46 am Post subject:

I dont know if that the answer.....it was just a bit of useless information.....I cant remember where i saw it....but the pigment in the leg colour, is used up it the colouring of the shells ???? Wink

I'll try and find it to prove im not talking Bo****ks Embarassed

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:46 am Post subject:

Knobby · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:47 am Post subject:

nigel · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:51 am Post subject:

I've seen something similar - somewhere - Knobby. The colour of the legs was meant to indicate how good a layer the birds were. I'm not sure where either. Confused

What I can say is that our birds leg colour has intensified now they're coming back into lay.

To go back to Bhindi's original question. If all other behaviour is normal, eating, drinking, clear eyes & nostrils then I wouldn't worry.

Lisa · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:52 am Post subject:

Yep - that rings a bell with me too... I think I saw it in a long list of how to tell which birds in a flock were laying, or were the best layers? Maybe on an American website/forum??

And I'm sure my Welsummer has darker yellow legs in winter when she's not laying, and paler in the summer when she is...

edited to add:

Here we go:

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Leg and feet color changes happen for various reasons. Age of the chicken ,weather and sometimes laying,usually when laying you will notice a change in face and comb color also.Don`t worry about it.My fowl change the color of their feet and legs on a regular basis.

fenwoman · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Yellow patches on feet

Bhindi · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:20 pm Post subject:

I figured tannilsed timber would be pretty toxic, hence my original concerns discussed on the temp forum. I have managed to keep them away from it now, but when they get into the new run where all the wood is-- thats the challenge, I'm hoping for a dryish day when I can maybe spray it with some diluted citricidal which is pretty bitter. As for the eggs well that ties in with this post and the yellow feet.. there arent any,.. except soft ones from one of the girls.

SO anyway, thanks folks yellow leggies are allowed Laughing

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Is tannilsed timber ,same same as treated lumber?If so all my pens are made of it and I`ve had no problem--course they banned Arsenic in the production of treated lumber.