My Turken has green legs... Is that a normal occurance?

[magoochie]

I noticed today that one of the turkens that I got from McMurray has green legs. I thought it was weird. They are the same color as my Easter Eggers legs.

Is this a normal occurance? My other turkens either have black or yellow legs.

Any idea why? I'm assuming it will still lay brown eggs right?

 

[magoochie]

I have been trying to read up in Turkens today, and I still have not seen anything on green legs. anyone?

 

[ChickyLaura]

Mine don't have green legs, but maybe yours is mixed with an EE. Cool! Wanna trade? LOL!

 

[magoochie]

LOL I thought it might be mixed with an EE too. But if it came from a hatchery you would think it would be a little better control. I wonder what color eggs it will lay if it has EE in it?

The other one that has the same feather colors, has yellow legs.

The black ones have black legs.

 

[Kev]

Leg color has nothing to do with egg color. Leg color is due to two main things: skin color(white or yellow) and if bird has a gene called Id(which blocks pigment in a certain layer of skin).

Green legs are a combination of yellow skin and "does not have Id". Yellow legs are yellow skin plus Id. Black legs basically are associated with the black plumage.. if they have yellow skin, you can see it on soles of the feet or on areas of body not exposed to light(on adults- it's easier to see on chicks).

Reason for variety in hatchery stock is because they deliberately mix the colors... in reality they are not terribly concerned about matching the breed standard. But they should be healthy and productive birds anyways. Their eggs will be tinted with tan or shades of brown.

Enjoy your turkens! They're my favorite breed, and almost all chickens here have naked necks..

 

[magoochie]

I didnt think the leg color had anything to do with the eggs. I just thought maybe if it was mixed with an EE I might have a shot at getting an olive egg.

I just thought it was weird. I have never seen one with green legs. But thanks for the Gene lesson! Always fun to learn stuff like that.

 

[Kev]

Oops, sorry.. got the wires crossed up with mention of EE. Sort of a lot of people think leg color has something to do with egg color in EE, like green legs- green eggs, blue legs- blue eggs. Incorrect of course..

Both of the naked neck and blue/green egg genes are dominant, which means if you do a cross of say, a turken rooster over a blue/green egg laying EE you will get naked necked blue/green egg layers.

 

[magoochie]

Cool thanks!!!