Can saddles stay on all winter?

[plumpybum]

I have one hen with a very bare lower back and during the winter months when the birds are more confined, all of the hens seem to love taking turns pecking at the 2 rooster's lower backs as well, causing bleeding and broken feathers. It drives me absolutely nuts. I purchased saddles and have them on all 3 of the victims and everything seems to be going okay, however the hens are still pecking at the males, albeit not causing as much damage.

Can I leave these on all winter? I'm just worried about rubbing on their wings where the straps are, which seem to be fine so far.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters.

I have no experience with picking, but I wonder if you'd be better off putting Pinless Peepers on the pickers.

I have read that saddles keep the chickens from fluffing their feathers up properly so they can keep warm -- but as a warm climate person I wouldn't know.

 

[Vicker]

I don't know how cold your winters get. If it gets pretty cold, I would also consider the fact that they can't fluff up all over for insulation.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Feather picking is a lack or protien but once they start they dont stop

 

[plumpybum]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters.

I have no experience with picking, but I wonder if you'd be better off putting Pinless Peepers on the pickers.

I have read that saddles keep the chickens from fluffing their feathers up properly so they can keep warm -- but as a warm climate person I wouldn't know.

I'm in New Hampshire and it gets brutally cold here

Feather picking is a lack or protien but once they start they dont stop

Hmm I'm feeding an organic layer pellet, and actually at the moment everyone is getting organic chick feed because I currently have 2 juveniles in the flock. This is what they are generally fed: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/natures-best-organic-egg-layer-pellets-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I'm in New Hampshire and it gets brutally cold here


Hmm I'm feeding an organic layer pellet, and actually at the moment everyone is getting organic chick feed because I currently have 2 juveniles in the flock. This is what they are generally fed: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/natures-best-organic-egg-layer-pellets-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005

16% is adverage for layers mine is 21% but i feed higher protien year round as nothing in layer feed makes them lay

 

[plumpybum]

16% is adverage for layers mine is 21% but i feed higher protien year round as nothing in layer feed makes them lay

I figured a "layer" feed would have the proper amount of protein, interesting. I have 2 Spitzhauben pullets that are pushing 8 months now and have not started laying, while 2 ameracaunas that are the same age have been laying for 3 months now. I've been wondering why these 2 havent laid yet...What feed do you use that is 21%? I dont think I've even seen higher than 18%

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I figured a "layer" feed would have the proper amount of protein, interesting. I have 2 Spitzhauben pullets that are pushing 8 months now and have not started laying, while 2 ameracaunas that are the same age have been laying for 3 months now. I've been wondering why these 2 havent laid yet...What feed do you use that is 21%? I dont think I've even seen higher than 18%

I use a feed called gobblers grub but game bird feed should be higher aswell. My birds lay better with higher protien then layer feed

 

[aart]

saddles keep the chickens from fluffing their feathers up properly so they can keep warm

Yes, indeed they do/can.

Feather picking is a lack or protien but once they start they dont stop

Eh, maybe...more likely to be crowding.
Having 2 males might be part of pecking problem too.

@plumpybum how old are all these birds, in months?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

chick feed because I currently have 2 juveniles in the flock

Probably better for the males too..and likely your older females aren't laying right now.
I've always used Purina Flock Raiser with a separate container of oyster shell for the active layers.

I'm in New Hampshire

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Gamebird feed and turkey feed and broiler feed and other feeds are 20% protein at a minimum.

Small production layer birds like leghorn and the commercial hybrid layers do fine on lower protein and excessive calcium. Your dual purpose types do better with higher protein and if 5 medium eggs per week type layer don't need that much calcium at all. Oyster shell offered free choice in a dish or handful tossed on the ground once per week is the typical means of adding calcium for the actively laying birds.

But I'm with aart in thinking the birds are confined and need more outdoor time. Usually feather picking is behavioral not dietary.