Horribly Bareback Hens Help?

I used saddles on a couple of my hens, when I only had a few hens with my rooster. My advice is to get a color that blends in somewhat with the color of the hen. Avoid really bright colors. I had a bright purple one that I put on my hen and she was terrified of it for some reason. Every time she'd look around behind her, she'd squawk and start running as fast as she could... I finally caught her and put a black one on her instead (she's gray) and she was fine with that one. It's quite possible that my hen is just nuts... Another of my hens was fine with wearing a bright purple saddle. But I thought I'd tell you my story anyhow, just in case!
 
I have had this terrible at times, even with a large amount of hens. The thing that I noticed, what it bothered me a lot more than it bothered them. A lot of blame is put on the rooster, but I think some hens have weaker feathers than others. But it is probably a combination of things. This year, same rooster, same girls, less damage.

I am thinking of removing the outer casing of the spurs. I sometimes see little bits of feathers hanging from that. One side looks a bit rough.

However, I do like to let mine out, and with a good rooster, my day time predation is MUCH lower.

Mrs K
 
I have 2 hens that are pretty bare back at the moment. I have been letting them stay in the coop if the rooster is out. On the days I do not let him out, I just leave the hen coop door open for them to come and go. They have not began to grow the feathers back yet and I wonder how long that will take? Its been about 2 weeks that I have been keeping them from the roo.
 
They probably won't grow feathers until they molt in the fall, then they will grow new ones. Generally in my flock, the roos becomes less interested than in the spring, and all is well. This spring is my second with this rooster, and perhaps it is because he is older, but I have less damage.
 
It's my understanding that feathers do not grow back in randomly, but only after a molt. I have four bareback hens that I now have saddles on to protect them from not only the rooster, but the sun as well.
 
It's my understanding that feathers do not grow back in randomly, but only after a molt. I have four bareback hens that I now have saddles on to protect them from not only the rooster, but the sun as well.


I had never thought of that. Good info! So hopefully the saddles will do their job till fall.
 
They probably won't grow feathers until they molt in the fall, then they will grow new ones. Generally in my flock, the roos becomes less interested than in the spring, and all is well. This spring is my second with this rooster, and perhaps it is because he is older, but I have less damagetahT


Thanks for letting us know so we don't keep wondering, I didn't even realize that
 

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