How often do you remove a hen saddle?

[EmmaDonovan]

If you have hens who wear them full time how often do you remove them or do you just leave them on?

 

[Debbie292d]

To be honest, I'm not sure if there's a protocol for that, but I put one on a hen I thought was being overbred.

A week later, I decided to take it off for a few hours. It was then that I realized it wasn't the rooster; she had started molting on her back.

I think checking the straps periodically to ensure they're neither too loose nor too tight would be sufficient. Taking it off wouldn't be necessary as long as it wasn't causing any problems, such as in my case.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Okay. I was just wondering if the saddle impedes dust bathing or other kinds of self grooming. (Sorry about the duplicate thread, I'm stoopid at 2AM.)

 

[Debbie292d]

Okay. I was just wondering if the saddle impedes dust bathing or other kinds of self grooming. (Sorry about the duplicate thread, I'm stoopid at 2AM.)

No biggy at all.

That's why I was going to take it off mine for a few hours so she could fluff herself out and dustbathe, then I'd put it back on for another week. Figuring out she was molting stopped that idea. I haven't needed it since.