Duck saddles?

[chickfan]

I have a very aggresssive RIR rooster, that tries to mate with my female mallard, who is just over a year old. He has worn her feathers down, just as he has on his favorite girl chicken. When he tries to mate with our other hens, the various other roosters will run him off. So most of his attention is to his chicken sweetie and the little duck. I will be making a saddle for the chicken very soon, and wonder if anyone ever puts a saddle on a duck? If so, I'll try to make one for her too.
I know that most people don't have the saddles, and this has to have been a problem since the beginning of chickendom. What happens if they are not given some sort of protection? I haven't seen this situation on any of my other hens, who mate with the other roosters, so maybe in my case, it is just the one big RIR that causes the problem.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Generally with ducks it is the back of the head that is the area of the worst of the plucked feathers- so saddles arent really appropriate for ducks. It may be a problem for her if she tries to swim while wearing one.

 

[sourland]

Since you have several roosters, why not eliminate this individual? Saddles on a duck would trap water underneath them causing a variety of problems.

 

[chickfan]

Thanks for these replies! I had forgotten about the ducks in the water...of course the saddles would not work. I hadn't thought this through at all, obviously.
We are in the process of getting coops and a run set up, and I'm hoping that when we are done, we will have a place to keep the rooster when the ducks are out, and vice versa. I'm plotting for another coop and run, just for the three ducks, but we have to finish what we are working on first.
On to plan B, whatever it may be. Thanks again.

 

[mcdown75]

Ok, stupid question. What the heck is a saddle?

 

[chickfan]

A few months ago I would have said the same thing...chicken diapers and chicken saddles? No kidding? LOL
They are covers for the back of a chicken, to help prevent feather loss and worse from the males mating with them. Google "chicken saddles" and you will see....of course they are on the chicken part of this BYC board. Several members make them...also the diapers.
Great idea...and they seem to work. Some are sewn with elastic to go around the wing to hold them on, and some are made with stretchy cloth (No sewing) and just have openings for wings to fit through and the tail to fit through, to hold them on.

 

[classroomducks]

sounds like your rooster needs a trip to freezer camp...

 

[chickfan]

LOL! I could never in a million years do that, even though I know many people do. My grandparents always ate their chickens, and I even got right in the middle of killing them to dress them, without feeling a bit sad. My rule now, is that nothing that has lived on our property will ever be on the dinner table.
I'm crazy about the rooster, actually. I just wish he would leave the duck alone! He takes very good care of his "wife", is not aggressive with humans, and is really fun to watch.