Free Chicken Apron/Saddle Pattern

I found this free pattern on http://www.homesteadingtoday.com, from "Wisconsin Ann".

It has come to my attention that the thread we usually point to with the pattern for a chicken apron/saddle has broken links in it now so, I found the pattern on my harddrive, and here it is! I think. I know this one works, 'cuz I've used it. Cut on the fold (the narrow "neck" end is the fold) and turn thru the unstitched area on the butt.

Add either an elastic or a 1/3"ish wide twilltape/belting/whatever you have as armholes...attached at the foldline/neck, and the other end to the wide area. Most hens will wear them quite happily. They seem to adjust them a bit when you first put them on, then forget about them.

I'll keep trying to find more on the pattern.

Anyone have any luck with these?

Has anyone made one of these yet?

I have a hen who is far too popular with my roo. Does this really work?

Another silly question: What kind of fabric do you make it from? Would simple cotton be okay, or do I need to find something special?

Do they wear it all the time?

I have made something much like this several times. I always make mine out of polarfleece because it's a bit stretchy and doesn't ravel, so it requires no hemming, no sewing at all.

I make two wing holes, really just long slits, about 2" long. You can cut one out like the pic then kind of lay it on her to see where. I used to keep a pattern when I got one that fit well and went on easily. Hint: you only need to leave about 2" to 3" to cover the back between the wings.

I have a hen wearing one now. She doesn't need it any more but pays no attention to it and I'm reluctant to take it off during cold weather; think I'll wait til spring. She's worn it for a few months. Had one on a Leghorn one time that stayed on for a year; she's not easy to grab, even off the roost.

I've never made or needed any kind of belt or fastener to hold them on, I just slip them on like a buttonless jacket.

Do you have a picture of yours?

I have not made my own, but have bought saddles from two different sources. They look just like this pattern and attach with elastic around the hens wings and snap back to the saddles. They do work, I leave them on my hens all of the time. The first ones I bought were made out of a heavyweight jean type material with stitching around the edge so they will not fray (not hemmed). They stay in place super well and have been very durable. The ones I bought just recently are made of a lighter cotton but two layers, so instead of hemming, they are joined together with the stitching on the inside to stop the fraying. They are absolutely beautiful but tend to fold under slightly at the back and I straighten them out every evening when the girls are on the roost. These ones also have the wing protectors, which I think need to be made of lighter weight material because you want them to flap up when the hens move their wings. I have just the saddles on 8 hens and the saddles with the wing protectors on 8 more hens. Two of the hens had been wearing the plain saddles for 6 months and when I switched to the ones with the wing protectors on, they walked around for two days like a rooster was on their backs. I was worried their legs would cramp, it was quite funny to observe Everyone is used to their new attire now. My hens free range all daylight hours and I have not had a saddle fall off. I love the polar fleece idea!

Here's mine, made of polar fleece. Most of the ones you can buy are made of durable materials, denim, etc. Mine kept Sarah warm til she stopped molting... I shortened it after the pic...

Ohhhh..... Wonderful!

It looks like she loves it.

How do you decide how long to make the wing elastics?

Thank you for posting this! I have been wanting to make one of these. I have one question. How do you put them on? Thank you!