How to make hen saddle that protects shoulders

[Zaxby's2]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find the answer to my specific question. My frizzle hen is small compared to my RIR rooster and is starting to lose feathers, and I need to know how to make a cheap and easy saddle that will protect her shoulders, as that's where the most damage is occurring. I'm not interested in designs or anything like that, just something that will keep her from going bald.

 

[Smarcebird]

I couldn't figure out how to make one that covered the shoulders. Ended up buying a couple from hensaver.com. They are great! The shoulder protector parts are removable, they are really well made and they stay on well (Once the chicken got used to wearing it - which was very comical)

 

[Zaxby's2]

Can you show a picture? I'd really rather make one than buy one.

 

[azygous]

This little number is what I came up with to protect my SLW Alice's bald shoulders. I simply shirred the edge of a rectangle, gathered the threads, and sewed the shoulder ruffles onto a regular saddle. You can make them shorter or long enough to cover the entire wing if you choose. I use elastic straps that fasten with one-inch velcro squares going from the top of the shoulder, under the wing pit, to the side of the saddle.

 

[Davaroo]

Chickens have shoulders?

 

[azygous]

Why, yes. They do. Lovely ones.

 

[Zaxby's2]

This little number is what I came up with to protect my SLW Alice's bald shoulders. I simply shirred the edge of a rectangle, gathered the threads, and sewed the shoulder ruffles onto a regular saddle. You can make them shorter or long enough to cover the entire wing if you choose. I use elastic straps that fasten with one-inch velcro squares going from the top of the shoulder, under the wing pit, to the side of the saddle.

Did you have any trouble with it coming off? And how was her reaction to putting it on? Will it take a while for her to get used to it?

 

[azygous]

She got used to it right off. The others, however, were totally freaked by this colorful apparition flying out of the coop pop hole.

Hens will try with beaks and claws to get a saddle off. As long as it fits snugly, and the velcro fasteners are an inch minimum, they stay on. I've experimented with elastic bands across the breast and under the neck, and they aren't as reliable. Bands going over the shoulder and under the wing pit work the best.

Then there are sweater saddles. If you crochet, you can come up with all kinds of styles, and they fit very well without the need of fasteners. Google chicken sweaters for patterns.