question about chicken feet

[westernjack]

This may sound like an odd question, but I was wondering if I could get a consensus about something in here from people who know about chickens. I'm having a discussion -- ok, you might call it an argument -- with some people regarding chicken feet and whether or not they are covered in scales. Now I insist that what's covering chicken feet is just skin...albeit tough skin...but it's skin none-the-less. Others claim that what covers chicken feet are actually scales, like what might be found on a reptile, like a dinosaur.

I'm not an expert on chickens but I have eaten KFC in the past, and I've never encountered scales on my chicken leg...granted, feet are not legs, so I would really appreciate some answers from people who know. Thanks, Jack

 

[mrsengeseth]

yes and no it looks like.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-anatomy.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_birds_have_scales

It's not exactly the same kind of scale as you would think for a fish or lizard, but similar.

 

[mrsengeseth]

of course, someone with more chicken experience might have an opportunity to chime in here. When I check over my girls legs they DO have scales, however it's not like that which i have felt on a fish or other scaly critter.

 

[westernjack]

yea, it seems to me that the skin is "scaly" but not made of scales. Likewise human skin can become tough, fibrous and scaly but I wouldn't say we have scales.

I need as many responses as possible, as we've really got a good argument going on another forum. thanks.

 

[kitchwitch]

I think their legs kind of feel like snakes scales. very smooth-like.

 

[horsejody]

Whe they get scaley leg mites, the scales lift up and turn dark. I think they are more scale-like than skin-like. Maybe something in between? I guess it depends on the definition of scale.

 

[horsejody]

OK, I found this.

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/eggs/res13-feet.html

It doesn't specifically say " the legs and feet have scales, however it does say, "In poultry literature, reference is made to booted and booting. This refers to feathering of the metatarsus rather then to a fusion of scales." Since it mentions that the feathering is not attached to the scales, I think it assumes the reader understands that the leg is covered in scales. It's from the University of Illinois Extension.

ETA: I also found this, but I don't know anything about the people that wrote it:

http://www.agednet.com/pt103v.shtml

They say chicken legs have scales.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

 

[KareyABohr]

Birds are close relatives of dinosaurs. Their legs (shanks and feet to be more exact) are covered with what I would deem scales. They are mostly smooth but when disease or parasites get them they lift up.