Missing back feathers, is this a molt?

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: I put the chicken saddle on the chicken and she hates it. I did it late last evening just before they roosted for the night. This morning she was in the nesting box. After laying her egg she just ran and ran and ran and ran all over the yard. She runs to Harvey, the rooster but he just runs from her, as do the other chickens. I'll give her today, but if she doesn't calm down I'll have to take it off of her. She is disturbing all the other hens, making them run as well and I can see egg production falling away! This does not seem to be working.
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Sorry, I can't help but laugh-Harvey running from her!
She will get used to it. Does it fit o.k. under the wings, no pinching?

 

[Peppercorngal]

Sorry, I can't help but laugh-Harvey running from her!
She will get used to it. Does it fit o.k. under the wings, no pinching?

Tee Hee! Yeah sort of funny that Great Big Harvey would run from a little hen like that! Here's a photo showing how much bigger than the hens he is! No, It didn't fit right, I didn't sew the elastic in the middle, so it was all tight on one wing and loose on the other. No wonder she was freaking! I took it off her and will shorten the elastic a tad bit and sew it down in the middle where it goes through all in one piece (the red piece) so it can't move from side to side. Next one I won't make the elastic all one piece, I'll do two I think. Then I'll give it another try.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Tee Hee! Yeah sort of funny that Great Big Harvey would run from a little hen like that! Here's a photo showing how much bigger than the hens he is! No, It didn't fit right, I didn't sew the elastic in the middle, so it was all tight on one wing and loose on the other. No wonder she was freaking! I took it off her and will shorten the elastic a tad bit and sew it down in the middle where it goes through all in one piece (the red piece) so it can't move from side to side. Next one I won't make the elastic all one piece, I'll do two I think. Then I'll give it another try.
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Yes, make your elastic one piece, then fold that top portion of your saddle over to make a pocket so the elastic can slide from side to side. This way it can be adjusted easier and when she moves around she not constricted.

I haven't used saddles in a few years, but all my ladies used to wear them with no problems, even in the summer. The rooster didn't care LOL
Harvey is young, so he's just being cautious and it's something new, he'll get used to it too.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Yes, make your elastic one piece, then fold that top portion of your saddle over to make a pocket so the elastic can slide from side to side. This way it can be adjusted easier and when she moves around she not constricted.

I haven't used saddles in a few years, but all my ladies used to wear them with no problems, even in the summer. The rooster didn't care LOL
Harvey is young, so he's just being cautious and it's something new, he'll get used to it too.

That is the way I made it, but the elastic slid over to one side on her. It ended up constricting one wing. I'm going to use two pieces or sew the middle so it can't slide. That way both sides will be uniform. I'm hoping that will work better. Since we are to have a big rain storm tomorrow I'll work on that project. Yeah, Harvey is a wimpy guy, just a youth, but that is why I love him. He's got some girls that just love him (the one I put the saddle on is one!) and sleep with him and follow him everywhere! Here's Harvey with his main followers during the day, and one of him sleeping tonight outside in the run on the roost.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That is the way I made it, but the elastic slid over to one side on her. It ended up constricting one wing. I'm going to use two pieces or sew the middle so it can't slide. That way both sides will be uniform. I'm hoping that will work better. Since we are to have a big rain storm tomorrow I'll work on that project. Yeah, Harvey is a wimpy guy, just a youth, but that is why I love him. He's got some girls that just love him (the one I put the saddle on is one!) and sleep with him and follow him everywhere! Here's Harvey with his main followers during the day, and one of him sleeping tonight outside in the run on the roost.
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He looks quite happy!
Is your run secure from predators? I would be nervous if it's not.

 

[Peppercorngal]

He looks quite happy!
Is your run secure from predators? I would be nervous if it's not.

Yes, it's as secure as I can make it. It's totally enclosed in wire, even the top, has hardware cloth from the bottom up two feet, has an apron with rocks on top so nothing can dig in (or out!). The only thing that can break into the run is bear and they are not active in our area right now. We also have electric fence. Bear have to hit the wire with their nose for it to work, they are covered with hair! Thanks for asking.