At what point do you stop your Roo?

[wood&feathers]

I love that saddle, azygous! Right now my roo is having the same problem. I keep his nails and spurs trimmed. His favorite hen wears a saddle. Plus lately I go out in the afternoon and use treats to get everyone cooped, then remove the rooster out to free range until sunset. He nests under the porch with the dogs until I put him back in with the ladies after dinner. He is so ready to go back to his girls that the last few nights he stepped onto my arm when I reached to pick him up!

 

[Zanna]

Here is a pic of one of my hens wearing a saddle made with a wing protector (they also come without).

I bought them from Tess, "lovemychix" here on byc. They work great! Sometimes the wing protectors slip underneath the hens wings but usually find their way back. I check everyone each evening and re adjust clothing if need be which is almost never. I sprayed them with scotch guard for water repellancy before I put them on as the girls free range all daylight hours and love the rain!!!

 

[Beekissed]

The only chickens I ever had to have consistently bald backs were my BOs. They were the most docile and eager to be bred in the flock. Not the roos fault if you have chickens that squat everytime he comes near....why chase the other gals when one is so eager?

I got rid of the BO hens. This is not a problem that will go away and I would always be worried about those bald backs, not to mention it leaves them open to injury and infection to have bald skin exposed at all times.

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

Quote:
This saddle looks like it is padded. Is it? I really like to sew so will probably try my luck making my own. If I can't figure it out I may look up Tess and get one from her. It's just too bad that the whole "chicken sex" has to be so complicated.

 

[Zanna]

It is not padded but is double layered so still lightweight. When I first put them on the poor hennies acted like there was a rooster on them for a little bit but they got used to them pretty quickly.

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

Don't want to seem dumb but I'm having a hard time picturing how the saddle goes on the hen. I have looked at lovemychix site and from the picture given, does the large end go towards the chickens tail or towards the head? I am assuming that the wings go through the straps.

 

[gritsar]

I can't find the pic right now, but I'm sure horsefeatherz will remember this....

While I waited for my saddle order to come in, I needed something to keep on my girl with the bare back. I found a little infants sundress on the clearance rack at walmart for $1. I slipped it on the hen, over the head same as you would a child. I slipped her wings thru the arm holes and tied the spaghetti straps together on her back, to keep them from slipping off and tied a knot in the hem of the dress to keep it snug against the hen's back.
The little dress was bright pink and gawd did that hen hate her pink dress. I got stinkeye overload for awhile.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
The wings go thru the straps and the large end goes towards the hens rear.

ETA: Don't be surprised if your hen tries to walk backwards out of her saddle, like trying to walk out from under it or lays flat on the ground like she can't move. They get used to them in a few days.

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

I guess I will be going to the closet and cutting up some of my old jeans to try my hand at saddles. I have two hens with the feathers off of the top of their tails and another hen with the feathers coming off more down along her upper thighs. I guess he rides her differently. It will be interesting to see how the roo reacts to the girls having saddles. I wish I had found all of your helpful information sooner. Maybe at the first sight of the feathers coming off. Better late than never! Thanks for all your help!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:

I do remember. DH gave me the typical look when I said I needed to stop at Walmart and look for baby sundresses

and then just about drove off the road when I said I was going to put a chicken in it.

I put my saddles on the girls in the evening, when they are going to roost. I have only had one freak a bit in the morning. I think the jeans are a great idea as they are a bit tougher than most fabric and might give the roo a bit more purchase.