Free Chicken Apron/Saddle Pattern

[iwiw60]

Try Googling hen saver with shoulder pads pattern and see what pops up...good luck!

 

[WVweaver]

I have buff orpington who plucks her own feathers. I thought it was the rooster riding her too hard at first. Then I thought the other hens, until I saw her pulling her own feathers out. She even pulled her breast feathers out. She doesn't bother anyone else. It's a mystery to me. She rarely eats them so not a deficiency.

 

[rojororeo]

Try Googling hen saver with shoulder pads pattern and see what pops up...good luck!

I feel like I had done that and got nowhere. I will try those words this time and see. Thanks

I have buff orpington who plucks her own feathers. I thought it was the rooster riding her too hard at first. Then I thought the other hens, until I saw her pulling her own feathers out. She even pulled her breast feathers out. She doesn't bother anyone else. It's a mystery to me. She rarely eats them so not a deficiency.

Are you sure she ins't broody? My Buff Orpingtons are mega brooders, and pluck their chest feathers for it, but I didn't think they were plucking their backs and wings... I figured the whole flock was doing it to each other, the 4 or 5 I have missing feathers here and there... Dang chickens!!

 

[WVweaver]

I WISH she were broody, then I know it would stop eventually. Nope, just neurotic I think. I need to make her a snuggy for winter, lol!

 

[rojororeo]

I WISH she were broody, then I know it would stop eventually. Nope, just neurotic I think. I need to make her a snuggy for winter, lol!

I wonder if I need to do the same thing. lol She is fully bald on her back, and her wing shoulders aren't much better.
I don't use any light or heat through winter either.
2 of my 3 BOs are like this. Oddly enough, the one that went broody in a good way, and I let keep some eggs, she hardly plucked any chest feathers, just enough to get the eggs warm and cozied. She didn't mess with any other feathers. My one BO that went broody but doesn't know an egg from a lump of coal, and can't even stay in the correct nesting box, she plucked her entire chest bald!! Dippy chicken. So she was nearly plucked and ready to be eaten at this rate!

I was sorta hoping to catch them in their fall molts and start blu-koting them or something, to help them get their new feathers in. The funny thing is the dippy brooder. Because she spends so much time in the nest box, her feathers are almost nearly all back in, just gotta finish emerging. Not sure if it is b/c she is being left alone, or b/c she is leaving herself alone!

I will figure something out... it will be cold come winter with the single digit temps they can get, if she is bald!

 

[Johnnie Ann]

I have got to have a super roo! If somebody can make with a matching dipper!!!

 

[Kev]

Much appreciate this thread!

Have a question... my birds keep picking at the elastic, to the point they pull out the threading which in turn causes a 'football game' with all birds grabbing it and pulling it out even more. One bird even managed to peel off a bit of the plastic. I'm worried about the string getting caught around their tongues or toes.. They were the regular white elastic from a chain fabric store.

Obviously the elastic has to be replaced... but with what? Any suggestions, ideas?

 

[iwiw60]

Much appreciate this thread!

Have a question... my birds keep picking at the elastic, to the point they pull out the threading which in turn causes a 'football game' with all birds grabbing it and pulling it out even more. One bird even managed to peel off a bit of the plastic. I'm worried about the string getting caught around their tongues or toes.. They were the regular white elastic from a chain fabric store.

Obviously the elastic has to be replaced... but with what? Any suggestions, ideas?

No need to replace the elastic...just "sleeve" the elastic with a sewn tubing of material....done!

 

[Kev]

No need to replace the elastic...just "sleeve" the elastic with a sewn tubing of material....done!

Thanks for the idea!

After my comment, thought about it some more.... is there any reason not to use velcro? It'd allow for customization for individual birds...

 

[iwiw60]

Thanks for the idea!

After my comment, thought about it some more.... is there any reason not to use velcro? It'd allow for customization for individual birds...

I don't see why not!