Minnesota!

[jbenson]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/424354/free-chicken-apron-saddle-pattern

jbenson: The general pattern I use is on the first post of this thread. I think the pattern has evolved a little for me though...as I look at it... the shoulder to neck area I've made more of a diagonal or straight shot. Then I'm not using elastic as they recommend (because that requires sewing--LOL) I made the wing slots about 2 1/2 inches long and about 1/2 to 3/4 inches from the edge. Then you firmly, steadily pull your hen's wing through each slot. The hens will protest a little about getting them on...but once on...they sort of stick out a wing or wiggle a little to maybe slough it off and then they are on to their normal thing and to me they look a little more confident in themselves. I try to use natural colors similar to their own markings if I can find them.

Thanks. I might have to size this down to fit my tiny ladies (I have a variety of bantams and some of the most picked on probably weigh about a pound or slightly more), but I think this will work well. I might leave them long like the gal that made one from polar fleece to try to protect the tails as well since the gals with picked backs also have tail feather damage.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Oh, yes...I'd certainly take some measurements with a tape measure and get it right for your little girls. I think the lady who did the tail protection made a pocket of sorts for the remaining tail feathers to fit in and protect the rest of the tail. she said it worked great. That you might need to sew. But sewing polar fleece is nothing at all to do...easy to work with. Post some pics if you get a chance. Good Luck!

 

[mnhomestead]

I just made some saddles today too, they were actually pretty easy!

 

[FoxyChicken]

Hey thanks for all the suggestions folks!! Bogtown, I like your apron because it doesn't require any sewing, and I'm going to step forward here and admit I have no idea how to sew

. mnhomestead, yours are beautiful! They look exactly like the ones you can order off the internet, except prettier! (at this point though I'd be a little nervous putting a cherry pattern on anybody...)

I hate to say this (in case I jinx myself) but the feather picking seems to have subsided! I went to try to put the apron on Black2 after I learned how to correctly put it on and she didn't have any new bald spots or sores, and since she's on suicide watch to begin with, I thought I would leave her alone for the time being. It's been a few days now and she still seems to be holding her own, even sprouting new feathers on her thighs. I think the big key is that they've actually been going outside in to their run!
Now if we can just keep on this warming trend and not get any more blizzards

Thanks again fellow Minnesotans, you guys are all awesome!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

(at this point though I'd be a little nervous putting a cherry pattern on anybody...)

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I found a Maroon Fair Isle wool sweater that felted down so nice and made sure the pattern and edging were lined up just right. It actually looks adorable on the RIR's LOL. We had some carpet layers this fall that were high as kites when they came to install some carpeting in our basement. I was sorta ticked....Cranked their music and smelled to high heaven of pot and booze. Then one of them saw Rosey our RIR in her little Fair Isle and said..." Holy $#*T! Dude that chicken is wearing a sweater."

Of course I giggled about that one. What a trip it must have been for these bums to see her out there free ranging with fair isle on her back. Then one messed with Roger when I wasn't looking and came screamin' back into the patio door. Priceless....

. Don't mess with the Rooster. LOL.

 

[mnhomestead]

Thanks for the compliments on the saddles! I actually made these ones to put on the 'what ya got swap', I'll use them if no one claims them. Funny about the cherries!

The saddles I have bought in the past were either plain colored or I did a zebra pattern for a barred rock, so it will be interesting to see how patterned ones go. I think it depends on your flock and whether they are free ranging or not, I think if they're cooped up a lot the busy patterns may become an issue.

 

[Minniechickmama]

It is quiet on this page... must be everyone is finally getting out to do some work with their birds that they have had to wait on. I know I have been. I am itching to do more than just cleaning pens, but that will be about it until enough of this snow melts to get more done. The 50-degrees we got today sure took the piles down though. I like seeing that!
I hope everyone's hens are back to giving up their nuggets of protein enriched goodness!

 

[jbenson]

It is quiet on this page... must be everyone is finally getting out to do some work with their birds that they have had to wait on. I know I have been. I am itching to do more than just cleaning pens, but that will be about it until enough of this snow melts to get more done. The 50-degrees we got today sure took the piles down though. I like seeing that!
I hope everyone's hens are back to giving up their nuggets of protein enriched goodness!

Got out yesterday to clear the snow from part of the run, which was good cause it melted down to the dirt today since I took the large drift off. I've been pretty busy waiting on those little demanding feathered loves of mine all winter and they have been rewarding me with lots of eggs. Got the first large batch in the incubator right now. Starting to advertise hatching eggs and soon chicks for sale and getting the garden started in the basement. Spring really is here!

 

[bantiesrule]

I've been hearing about a swap in Hutchinson this month but cannot confirm any date. Anyone know anything about that?