Chicken Saddle Safe?

[courtsmarans]

I have some hens that are getting raw backs from my roo that is just trying to show some loving. I really don’t want to separate him or the couple hens because I am using them as breeding stock right now. I have seen some people using chicken saddles/hen aprons. Are these safe? Any cons?

 

[The_BirdNerd]

I haven’t heard to much about chicken saddles but I do know that they are for hens who have lost feathers from excessive mating from the rooster. I’d think the one of the cons is that it may feel uncomfortable for the chooks or they could get it stuck on something causing them stress.

I’m making a chicken coat at the moment for chook in the winter on very cold and windy days, but I would wait for someone who knows a bit more about saddles than me to reply!

 

[aart]

I have some hens that are getting raw backs from my roo that is just trying to show some loving. I really don’t want to separate him or the couple hens because I am using them as breeding stock right now. I have seen some people using chicken saddles/hen aprons. Are these safe? Any cons?

Are these your only 3 birds?
Maybe you have more hens but there are only two showing wear?
Is he mating them all or only those two?
Some birds have more brittle feathers that are more prone to break from treading.
Are you actively hatching eggs?
They only need to be mated maybe once a week to stay fertile.
Not all cock/erels are 'gentlemanly' enough to be kept in such small ratios.
Saddles might help, but they can interfere with feather growth and heat transfer, and harbor bugs.

I’m making a chicken coat at the moment for chook in the winter on very cold and windy days,

Please don't do this...it interferes with the chickens ability so use their feathers to keep warm. How cold does it get there?

 

[courtsmarans]

Hi aart, thank you for being thorough. I have 11 hens and I am actively hatching, and selling hatching eggs. He mates with everyone. These three birds are just a little younger than my other girls, so they are a tad smaller. And my roo is a big boy. They are not getting picked on/getting their feathers picked out by the other girls. I just think they aren't quite as mature as the rest and their feathers aren't as think yet.

 

[LaidWithLove]

Hen saddles are perfectly safe as long as you put them on properly and have the right size. I will double check where mine came from and update with details, it's very durable and high quality.
It IS a tight fit, as it is supposed to be to keep the saddle in place and from coming off/shifting around. My hen was a little uncertain at first but she figured it out in two days and ran around just like everyone, I never had an issue with it.
In my opinion, the problems can arise if you have the wrong size for your bird, namely too loose which can get caught, tangled, or come partway off freaking the hen out.

 

[aart]

Hi aart, thank you for being thorough. I have 11 hens and I am actively hatching, and selling hatching eggs. He mates with everyone. These three birds are just a little younger than my other girls, so they are a tad smaller. And my roo is a big boy. They are not getting picked on/getting their feathers picked out by the other girls. I just think they aren't quite as mature as the rest and their feathers aren't as think yet.

Curious if those 3 from the same line as the others?
How old are they?

 

[Mimi13]

I am a hen saddle user. I would rather keep a check on the hens’ backs underneath the saddles than have to separate and doctor an injured girl.

My hens had no problem with the saddles when I first put them on, but you have to be meticulously careful when making sure every feather is in its correct place (either outside or underneath the saddle, usually in the armpit area.)

Two weeks ago I removed the saddles when the temps got so high. Even though I make them out of lightweight, breathable cotton, I wanted the girls to be as cool as possible. (Think being outside with your shirt off vs on! Oh no, we can’t do that, we’re girls!) I am going to put the saddles back on the four that show wear today, simply because I noticed a pretty good scratch on one of their sides yesterday.

Good luck with your bare backed biddies.

 

[The_BirdNerd]

Please don't do this...it interferes with the chickens ability so use their feathers to keep warm. How cold does it get there?[/QUOTE]

My apologies, I did not know that it would interfere with their natural behaviour and ability to keep warm. It’s a good thing you told me not to as well because I haven’t actually finished it yet, besides she (my chicken) seems to be fairing okay with cold and windy days.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Please don't do this...it interferes with the chickens ability so use their feathers to keep warm. How cold does it get there?

My apologies, I did not know that it would interfere with their natural behaviour and ability to keep warm. It’s a good thing you told me not to as well because I haven’t actually finished it yet, besides she (my chicken) seems to be fairing okay with cold and windy days.[/QUOTE]
@aart is right, chickens fluff out their feathers to keep the heat in and stay nice and warm but when you use a chicken coat for them it can interfere with their ability to keep warm and then that can make them very cold.
What breed is your hen? And how cold does it get where you are?

 

[The_BirdNerd]

My apologies, I did not know that it would interfere with their natural behaviour and ability to keep warm. It’s a good thing you told me not to as well because I haven’t actually finished it yet, besides she (my chicken) seems to be fairing okay with cold and windy days.

@aart is right, chickens fluff out their feathers to keep the heat in and stay nice and warm but when you use a chicken coat for them it can interfere with their ability to keep warm and then that can make them very cold.
What breed is your hen? And how cold does it get where you are?[/QUOTE]

She is an australorp which I should know can handle all kinds of Australian weather. I’m based down in Melbourne but I’ve been noticing that there are some really windy, cold and wet days. This shouldn’t concern me seeing as the run is undercover and she has an inside area too. I’ve let her out on numerous occasions whether it’s sunny or raining and she just doesn’t mind.