Chicken Saddles Use - Help needed!

[VA Lady]

There may be an answer for this somewhere but I haven't found it yet so I'm hoping for some suggestions. We bought our four first pullets only one turned out to be a rooster. We love him and don't want to get rid of him and also want to keep the hens in good shape so I ordered some saddles for the girls. I tried putting one on our friendliest hen this morning (she'll let me pick her up and mess with her with no problems) and after I turned her loose with the saddle on there was mayhem. She ran around upset and the rooster freaked out and started attacking the saddle. He was trying to claw it off and pull it off with his beak and she was getting beaten up and even more upset. I don't want to give up on the saddles as it looks like they must work for people somehow but I'm not sure I understand how to get past the freak-out stage without a hen getting hurt. Does anyone have any ideas or tricks they used? Is it just our rooster that is different/more protective? Any input would be great! Thanks!

 

[dawnchick]

There are lots of different kinds of saddles. I just use a handcut piece of polarfleece with holes for the wings, and it doesn't bother them.

You didn't mention that any chickens had any damage. I wouldn't worry about using saddles at all unless you see loss of feathers, etc.

 

[pgpoultry]

If the chicken saddle is well fitted the hen will flap her wings a bit for a short while then totally ignore it.I have hens who have worn them for about 6 months without any bother at all.

Maybe your saddles were either too big or too small?

sandie

 

[sewingca]

I don't know about saddles, but I do know how a guy thinks. Your guy saw his woman in distress and tried to save her. Try the saddle again when he is not around. Let her flap about and then settle down. After she is comfortable, then let him see her. He may not even notice that "dangerous" thing. If this doesn't help, perhaps someone with more experience can advise you.

Good luck with your sweet chicken family!

 

[VA Lady]

The saddle seemed to fit ok - the straps are elastic so there's a lot of give and she is young (she actually just laid her first egg a couple hours ago!!) and small. I think part of the problem could be the the saddle has the wing guards on it too so it's covering a lot of her. I hate to take it apart but maybe I should just go with a basic saddle at first... There hasn't been any feather damage yet but I have 3 hens and one young rooster and he's already pretty frisky.

On top of that she is by far his favorite.