Need info on chicken saddles please

[PhantomSlayer]

Over half our girls are bare backed. Still unsure on whether its a mite issue or a mixture of rooster damage and goose damage or all 3 but were taking actions to remedy 2 of the 3. The only issue I can't fix because my mom is kinda attached to him but is our rooster. So I was thinking chicken saddles to maybe help with the girls who are getting the worst of it.

DIY saddles or store bought? If DIY Crochet, sewing? Preferences and patterns?
How long should you keep them on? Switching them out? Maintenance opinions.

Stuff like that.


I realize they may not recover feathers until molting the majority of the concern is to keep roo from accidently scratching/clawing their bare backs creating an even bigger issue such as infections. No I can't really separate him. We cant afford to make a small area for him and my parents won't let me lock him up in the brooder in our basement. Our only options would to be lock him up with the geese which puts him at the mercy of our gander who hates him or free range him and put him at risk of the predators. We just recently lost our last light brahma so the risk is very high. And as I said my mom is attached to him and doesn't want to rehome him.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

DIY saddles or store bought?

Depends how crafty you are and how much you're willing to spend. Sizes can be another issue. I got one saddle, and from that saddle I got a pattern and have used it to make several saddles.

If DIY Crochet, sewing?

Sewing only. You don't want anything that your rooster's nails will get caught on. If you sew them yourself, keep in mind you want weight. If that saddle is too light, it'll be useless as it'll always be flipping up when your rooster jumps on. I suggest using denim (jean) or canvas. If your machine can't handle that, put the denim on the top with a lighter material on bottom (I use fleece) and put a weighty fabric inside (I put denim inside it where I won't be putting stiches).

Preferences and patterns?

I prefer Hen Saver, and that's the saddle pattern I've been using to make mine. I believe the size is large, though I've made one that's just a little bigger that's on my bigger hen.

How long should you keep them on?

I keep them on until the feathers (fully) return. You may find them coming back sooner than expected once you get the saddle on, if you don't wait too long. If their backs have been bare for awhile, you may need to keep them on until next molt.

Switching them out?

I switch my saddles between girls who need them more. Because I make mine, some fit some hens better than others. Like my bigger one is on my big Orpington, whereas I had to swich my black one around because it wasn't working on my EE, Owl. She got the original saddle until I ended up putting it on my crooked toed girl because she needed it more and Owl's feathers were doing better.

Maintenance opinions.

If you do it right, the saddles should be machine washable. I prefer to wash my saddles in between uses, though when it's urgent of switching between ladies, they don't always get so lucky. When removing the saddles, always check the edge's stiching for white clusters, as those could be signs of mites or lice. In between using them, check the bands and all stitching for wear, as any hen not happy with the saddle may find any loose thread and work on it until they've destroyed it. On my original saddle, I've already had to replace the band due to this.

When putting a saddle on your hen for the first time, watch her closely to ensure she's comfortable with it. Around her shoulders, it's easy to have a feather wrong or what not, which will make the saddle very uncomfortable. If she’s walking sideways, holding a lowered wing/shoulder, or clucking in a panic tone, it's a good chance her saddle isn't on properly.
Also, when putting a saddle on, the band should be able to come more to one side than the other, so to get it over the wing. Once it's on, ensure the band is straightened and even on both sides. If it's not, that can also cause your hen to act improperly.

For a time to put a saddle on your girls, I recommend putting them on at night, after dark. The hens will be sleepy, thus easier to handle as you put on the "new fangled thing." You should still be able to tell by their behavior if the saddle is on, though they might not be so obvious, and could possibly fall off the perches during night if they attempt to escape discomfort.

~Lacy Duckwing

 

[PhantomSlayer]

@Lacy Duckwing

Since you said no crochet I'll have to ask my mom to sew them. I cannot use a sewing machine for the life of me lol The sizing might be the more difficult. Half are usually easier to catch.

The one who has the worst damage is our runt. Shes thankfully the easiest to catch as I've put her in a spider costume as well as given her a bath before. But she might have to wear one until molt.

We'll probably start with the easiest to catch first.