I did it! I made my first chicken saddle!

[mfr4550]

Those are cute saddles...but how do they protect the chicken?

 

[TheJadeChicken]

Those are cute saddles...but how do they protect the chicken?

I am not 100 percent sure.

 

[wekiva bird]

Thats is a great job. Now you can save those backs from the roosters

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

I think the idea is that when a rooster mounts a hen he puts his feet on her back and if he's too rough or she's a favorite, her feathers can get ripped out. The cloth part of the saddle covers her back so the rooster's feet can't claw her.

 

[Nicole01]

My problem is other hens picking the feathers off of their backs. By using a saddle, it eliminates feather picking. The hens wearing the saddles feel more confident as well.

 

[TheJadeChicken]

Everyone else was better about explaining.

My older sister made fun of my chicken saddles and did the "Oh! Lord!" :/ I don't want bald chickens that are not supposed to be bald.

 

[roostersandhens]

What is the purpose of the chicken saddle??? I've never heard of this before

The chicken saddle is to protect the hens back when the roosters mate with them

 

[judyki2004]

Have anyone used saddles on their hens during hot/ humid weather? My poor Gina is bald due to be the only hen available since Yamina is broody, Im thinking of making her a saddle but i ám worried about the heat.

 

[Pele]

Have anyone used saddles on their hens during hot/ humid weather? My poor Gina is bald due to be the only hen available since Yamina is broody, Im thinking of making her a saddle but i ám worried about the heat.

You could always sew pockets for ice-packs into it.

 

[groverlvchx]

I printed the instructions for my mom from that same link: http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/make-a-chicken-saddle/ and she made one from an old pair of jeans. She didn't do the "turn it inside out" part because of the bulkiness. I have a very large rooster


who has a flock of 9 hens but 5 are either broody or raising broods so he's down to 4 hens. His two favorites are pretty beat up. Last night was our first night with a chicken saddle and she kept it on all night! Here is a "before" shot

and here she is this morning with saddle still in place

Her buddy (also pictured) has a bald back so she gets hers tonight. Hope it helps!