Have you ever seen or heard about chickens with green legs and blue legs? Their rarity and unique appearance elevate them to a status of exclusivity and premium quality. Owning one of these chickens will make you stand out from other chicken enthusiasts.

In this article, we will discover the secret behind chickens with green legs or blue legs and also chicken breeds that have green/blue legs.

Let’s get started.

Article Summary

• Chickens like Araucana, Easter Egger, Cream Legbar, and Green-legged Partridge have green or greenish legs because of their genes.
• Andalusian chickens have blue legs, this unique trait or feature is a result of their genetics.
• Chickens with green legs or blue legs are considered rare and of high quality. Chicken keepers find them extra special as they’re not like most other chickens.
• Chickens’ leg color is also influenced by environmental conditions, diet, maturity, and health conditions.

What Color Should Chicken Feet/Legs Be?

A chicken’s leg color depends on several factors like genetics, and not all chickens have the same color legs.

Common colors for chicken legs include green, bluish, yellow, greenish-yellow, gray, black, or even a combination of colors.

However, the most common color for chicken legs is yellow. Many chicken breeds have yellow color legs.

The yellow color is influenced by a pigment found in plants called carotenoids, free range chickens consume plants other than grain-fed which tend to have more yellow legs and skin.

Why does my Chicken have Yellow Legs?

The most common color for chicken legs is yellow. Many chicken breeds have yellow color legs. And it’s typically a result of genetics.

Other than genes chicken legs’ color is also influenced by Genetic mutations, diet, maturity, health conditions, and environmental factors.

Another reason is a pigment found in plants called carotenoids, the excess consumption of carotenoids can tend to have more yellow legs and skin.

if your chicken has yellow legs, there’s no need to worry—it’s completely normal and characteristic of certain breeds as long as they don’t appear abnormal.

Many chicken breeds, such as Sussex, Leghorns, Orpingtons, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Reds, and Wyandotte typically have yellow legs.

Why does my Chicken have Blue Legs?

The first possible reason is genetics, the coloration is genetically passed down from parents to offspring.

Other factors influencing the chicken’s leg color are Genetic mutations, environmental factors, maturity, feed, and health conditions.

Remember that blue legs in chickens can sometimes indicate health issues, health conditions such as poor circulation or certain diseases may cause a bluish color in the skin and legs. 

Diseases that can cause a bluish color in chickens like 1. Cyanosis occurs when there is insufficient oxygen in the blood, leading to a bluish tint in the skin.

The second is 2. Newcastle, in which the wattles may sometimes show a bluish discoloration, 3. Infectious Coryza can cause respiratory symptoms and may lead to bluish discoloration of the comb and wattles.

If you see any abnormal or other worrying signs in your chickens, you must talk to a veterinarian or chicken experts.

Why does my Chicken have Green Legs?

Some chickens breed have this distinctive green leg feature, that makes them unique and rare.

The first reason is genetics, some chickens naturally have greenish legs due to their genetics. Chickens with green legs will discussed in the following.

Genetic mutations, Feed that chickens consume, environmental factors, overall health conditions, and maturity also influence the color of the chicken’s legs.

The color of the legs and skin also indicates certain types of disease like:

1. Green Muscle Disease or Deep Pectoral Myopathy occurs due to damage to the breast muscles, the damaged muscles appear green due to the presence of bile pigments released from damaged tissue.
2. Avian Viral Gangrenous Dermatitis (AVGD) infection caused by Clostridium septicum can lead to the formation of greenish lesions on the skin of affected chickens.
3. Liver Disease in chickens can cause a buildup of bile pigments, resulting in a greenish discoloration of the skin, comb, and wattles. 

If you see any abnormal or other worrying signs in your chickens, you must talk to a veterinarian or chicken experts for help and guidance.

Do Chicken Legs change color over time?

Yes, Chicken Legs change color over time due to several factors and reasons.

Here are some reasons:

As chickens grow and mature, the first notable transformation occurs in their color, particularly in their legs. As these chickens grow and mature, their leg color may undergo a subtle yet observable shift.

Feed that chickens eat can also influence and change the color of chicken legs over time as carotenoids and chlorophyll found in plants may change the skin and leg color of the chickens over time.

Chicken’s overall health can change the color of their legs over time. When they are healthy and happy, their skin and leg color tend to be consistent. However, if chickens are unwell or suffering from any health issues, it can cause changes in the color of their legs.

Environmental factors like exposure to sunlight, soil, and other environmental elements can also influence and change the leg’s color over time. For example, chickens that spend a lot of time scratching in the dirt may develop stained or discolored legs over time.

Slight changes in leg color are normal, however abnormal and sudden changes in leg color could be a sign of an underlying health issue and should be investigated further by a veterinarian. 

Chickens with Green Legs

Here are Chickens with Green Legs:

• Araucana 

Origin	Chile
Eggs per year	Approximately 250 blue or green eggs per year
Temperament	very friendly, inquisitive, and easily tamed to come to hand for pets

Araucana chicken breed is known for its unique characteristics, such as tufts of feathers adorning its cheeks and its distinctive ability to lay eggs with a beautiful greenish-blue hue.

One distinctive feature of some Araucana chicken is its beautiful green legs, contributing to its overall fascinating attraction. Araucanas are loved not only for their colorful eggs and green legs but also for their amiable nature.

• Easter Egger

Origin	not clear
Eggs per year	blue, green, white, pink, tan, or dark brown, lay up to 280 eggs
Temperament	Docile, Hardy

Easter eggers have the remarkable ability to produce eggs in an array of a variety of shades, including blue, green, and even pink. 

One of the charming qualities that some Easter eggers may sometimes inherit is the presence of greenish legs, which further enhances their attraction and charm.

• Cream Legbar

Origin	United Kingdom
Eggs per year	Blue/Green, 200 per Annum
Temperament	Hardy, great, very friendly and active

Cream Legbars are highly respected for their exceptional egg-laying capabilities, particularly for producing eggs in stunning shades of blue.

They are also well-known for their distinctive appearance, characterized by a distinct crest atop their heads, and some may exhibit greenish legs.

• Green-legged Partridge

Origin	Poland
Eggs per year	Whitish eggs, 140–180 eggs per year
Temperament	Bold, confident, and friendly

The Green-legged Partridge chicken is a lively and slender bird distinguished by its single comb and red earlobes.

Some Green-legged Partridge is characterized by its unique trait of having shanks and legs with an unusual green coloration.

Chickens with Blue Legs

Here are the chickens that have blue legs:

• Blue Andalusians 

Origin	Spain
Eggs per year	White color, 160-200 medium/large eggs a year.
Temperament	Gentle, active

Blue Andalusians have medium-sized bodies, long legs, and an elegant, almost game-like appearance.

Some of them also have the unique trait of slate blue legs and feet, alongside white earlobes, large straight combs, moderate-sized wattles, and tails that stand upright.

Final Thoughts

Genetics, diet, environmental factors, maturity, genetic mutation, and health conditions may be the reason for the green, blue, yellow, etc chicken legs’ color.

However, there is also a chance that the leg color indicates any health conditions or certain diseases like Cyanosis, Avian Viral Gangrenous Dermatitis, Newcastle, and Green Muscle Disease.

Slight changes in leg color are normal, however, If you see any abnormal or other worrying signs in your chickens you must talk to a veterinarian or chicken experts.

I hope this article helps you in some sort, now if you have any queries please ask in a comment.

 

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FAQs

Why do some chickens have green legs?

Green legs in chickens are primarily due to genetics. Specific breeds like Araucana, Easter Egger, and Cream Legbar have this trait. Environmental factors, diet, and overall health may also influence the color.

What breeds have green legs?

Breeds such as Araucana, Easter Egger, Cream Legbar, and Green-legged Partridge often have green legs, which make them unique and desirable for poultry enthusiasts.

Can chicken leg color change over time?

Yes, leg color can change due to factors like maturity, diet, health, and environmental exposure. Abnormal changes may indicate health issues and should be evaluated by a vet.

Are chickens with green legs rare?

Chickens with green or blue legs are considered relatively rare compared to those with yellow legs, making them unique and sought after by chicken keepers.

Do green-legged chickens lay different eggs?

Green-legged chickens like Easter Eggers can lay eggs in a variety of colors, including blue, green, and brown, depending on their genetics. This adds a unique touch for backyard flocks.

What does green leg color indicate about a chicken’s health?

In most cases, green leg color is a normal genetic trait. However, sudden changes in leg color might indicate nutritional deficiencies or health issues, which should be investigated.

Is there a difference in temperament between green-legged chickens and others?

Temperament is generally influenced by breed rather than leg color. Green-legged breeds like Easter Eggers are often friendly and good for families, but temperament can vary by individual chicken.