Aprons on chickens

[Cathy Roberts]

We have 3 chickens that have been wearing aprons most of their lives(2) years because our roosters used to be pretty rough on them. The roosters are gone now and I was wondering about taking the aprons off. Their backs are still pretty bare and one gets picked on a lot. I was wondering if it would be better to leave the apron on her for a while longer. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

Pics please.

 

[aart]

most of their lives(2) years

They are now 24 months old?
Did they molt last fall?

 

[Cathy Roberts]

They are now 24 months old?
Did they molt last fall?

They did molt last fall, but not very much.

 

[Cathy Roberts]

Pics please.

I'll try to get pictures taken, but I'm not very good with a camera. It may be a day or two.

 

[aart]

They did molt last fall, but not very much.

Wonders if the saddles inhibited the feathers growing back in?

 

[Cathy Roberts]

I

Wonders if the saddles inhibited the feathers growing back in?
[/QUOTE

Wonders if the saddles inhibited the feathers growing back in?

I've been wondering the same thing. Some small feathers are starting to show up, so I'm not quite so concerned now.

 

[Cathy Roberts]

I'll try to get pictures taken, but I'm not very good with a camera. It may be a day or two.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would take the saddles off and put some pine tar on the bald patches. Chickens hate the taste, so they won't pull out any new feathers that start to grow.

 

[HollyWoozle]

It looks to me like the aprons have inhibited feather growth as @aart surmised they may have done. It's a very uniform sort of bald area! I'd definitely get those aprons off.