Advise about chicken saddles

[chickens really]

For large breeds it's 6 to 8 hens per rooster.

Okay...How many Roosters do you have. They are not picky so breed the favourite ones..One Rooster to that many Hens is acceptable.

 

[coach723]

I make my own saddles out of outdoor fabric (like sunbrella) and they shed water and wet is not an issue, also the tighter weave of the fabric does not catch on feathers or pin feathers growing in. Mine wear them 24/7 until feathers are grown in and they aren't needed any more. Never had any issues, the birds mostly act like they are not there, they still preen, dust bathe, all other normal activities.

 

[leighks]

How many Hens to Rooster is the ratio?...

Currently 5 hens and 1 roo- was supposed to be 6 hens but... surprise, 1 was sexed wrong. Will be adding 2-3 more hens this spring.

The mating was manageable, but then we had over 3 weeks of freezing and negative temps, so no one went outside the coop or even in the run for about a month. They were bored so that’s when the damage occurred. They are all 10 mos old.

I am in the process of deciding what to do about the roo and know the factors that led to the problem. I’m just trying to prevent skin damage to the hens, and preserve what feathers are left. My flock look like ragamuffins who’ve had too long of a cooped up winter!!

 

[leighks]

I make my own saddles out of outdoor fabric (like sunbrella) and they shed water and wet is not an issue, also the tighter weave of the fabric does not catch on feathers or pin feathers growing in. Mine wear them 24/7 until feathers are grown in and they aren't needed any more. Never had any issues, the birds mostly act like they are not there, they still preen, dust bathe, all other normal activities.

What type of material do you put on the underside, that’s against their skin?

 

[aart]

For large breeds it's 6 to 8 hens per rooster.

Ehhhh......
The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.

It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.

Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc

It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.

Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[leighks]

Also of interest is the spur difference on the left and right leg. The spur on the right is growing facing back, and the one on the left points more to the inside of the right leg. All the hen damage is on their left sides. The right sides are still feathered, the left- not so much.

I know there is a blood vessel in there so I can’t cut it back far, but I have been filing it back a bit with dog nail grinders. It’s less blunt but I think that’s what’s doing all the damage. I grind his nails too so they don’t get too pointy.

 

[coach723]

What type of material do you put on the underside, that’s against their skin?

I use the same fabric for top and bottom, makes them reversible. I also put a layer of low-loft quilt batting in between the layers, makes them a bit more substantial and they stay in place better. The outdoor fabric is pretty smooth. It can be spendy per yard, but you can get a lot of saddles out of a yard, and I buy it on clearance and don't worry about the pattern/color, the birds don't care. They hold up well and last a long time.
I blunt my roo's spurs with large dog nail clippers, if it bleeds a little you can use cornstarch or styptic powder to stop it.

 

[RGW]

I tried putting on a denim saddle that I made for 1 of my hens. As soon as I put her down, the rooster and other hens attacked her. I gathered her up quickly as it was quite a brawl. I think they would have torn her apart. What am I doing wrong in this? I don't have a place to put the rooster other than just loose in the yard.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I tried putting on a denim saddle that I made for 1 of my hens. As soon as I put her down, the rooster and other hens attacked her. I gathered her up quickly as it was quite a brawl. I think they would have torn her apart. What am I doing wrong in this? I don't have a place to put the rooster other than just loose in the yard.

Unfortunately anything odd in the chicken world gets attacked. I've never used a saddle so I can't give any advice. I always just remove the rooster as it's easier to manage on bird instead of the whole flock.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I’ve never had a problem with the others attacking the hen with the saddle.
I did make the saddles so they wouldn’t be obvious when worn. Dark chickens got a dark saddle. Buff chickens got light colors.
I’m not sure if that would make a difference for you but if separating the rooster can’t be done it could be worth a try.