Chicken saddle disaster

[hannakat]

I finally made a chicken saddle to put on Gabby to cover her and let the injury from the rooster continue to heal. I caught her and put it on then set her down, and immediately the rooster attacked her. We thought he was going to kill her. She finally got away from him and ran into hiding. I caught her and removed the saddle, then caught him and kept him busy for about 10 minutes hoping he would forget about her looking foreign (which he did).

She hasn't laid an egg since we found her injury and also determined she was broody (last weekend). Prior to all of that she was laying an egg a day. I got her to get out of the egg box by putting her in the snow but she hasn't laid and egg since. Maybe too many things?....injury, broody, mean people interfering. What a day

 

[ginormous chicken]

I'm sorry.

I've heard that those saddles do help! If it helps, I was trying to catch a chicken and hit my head so hard on the base of the treehouse at I saw stars! Now am sitting here responding to posts with an ice pack on my head thinking, "Dang chicken!" The saddle does help her recover and the roo roo will get used to it.

 

[chicks4kids]

It sounds like the roo is far too aggressive. I have several hens that over the course of the summertime need these saddles...the roos usually don't even bother them with those on. Is he a new maturing roo? Maybe he needs to be isolated for awhile??

 

[sourland]

Broody hens do not lay. The hormonal cycle she will most likely go through is 8 to 12 weeks before resuming egg production.

 

[Kansaseq]

I have saddles on several of my hens. My 3 roos pay them no attention. Sorry your poor hen was attacked

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
Oh my goodness! I hope you didn't end up with a goose egg!

Seriously though, I hope you're okay!

~^,,^~

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
He is about 10 months old and is proving to be aggressive. He took an absolute, instant fit and attacked her. She is his clutch mate (right term?) and she adores him and follows him around and looks to him for everything. For that reason, we've hesitated making a decision regarding his immediate future. I did tell my DH, while I was holding the rooster, that the day might be coming a lot faster than what I'd hoped.

 

[ginormous chicken]

Have a Goose Egg! The DH confirmed it and did this :

So understanding huh!

Seriously though, move the roo roo, and try the saddle again.

 

[axion_lotus]

That poor hen!

So sorry she got attacked.

If there's anything I can't stand it's a mean rooster!

If I were in your place I'd be furious!