Not sure where to put this

[JacquiN]

I apologize if I’m not posting in the right place.

There are a MULTITUDE of posts on chicken diapers and harnesses, mostly on where to acquire them or how to make them.

That’s not my problem. My ‘problem’ is that my EE chicken will NOT take to ANY of the ones I’ve made or bought ( different styles ). The last one I made she’s done better with, as far as stability and not blocking her oil gland. She will be ok for a minute and then just start preening and plucking her own feathers. I take it off immediately, but there’s the rub. How do I condition her to wear it without harming herself? She is my house chicken and I REALLY don’t fancy putting her outside with the rest of my flock.

 

[chuckachucka]

Is the material too tight maybe? Or an itchy kind of fabric? Are there any loose strands bothering her? Maybe you could try using a material that matches her feathers in colour so it won't keep catching her eye when she preens?

 

[chuckachucka]

I think the only way is to leave it on her until she gets used to it. My serama gets her diaper put on in the mornings and she HATES it at first. She will keep looking over her shoulders at the straps and pecking them and shuffles backwards trying to get out of it. But after about half an hour she gets used to it and then she doesn't even notice it all day.
It helps to put it on then immediately distract her with some treats so she forgets about it.

 

[staceyj]

You might want to try these.
Feather light, (pun) cheep (also pun), Disposable,the ear loops are verrrry stretchy and fit over her wings like bra straps. Lol. Or a back pack.
I call it discrete indoor undergarments for chickens.

 

[staceyj]

I think the only way is to leave it on her until she gets used to it. My serama gets her diaper put on in the mornings and she HATES it at first. She will keep looking over her shoulders at the straps and pecking them and shuffles backwards trying to get out of it. But after about half an hour she gets used to it and then she doesn't even notice it all day.
It helps to put it on then immediately distract her with some treats so she forgets about it.

Agreed. Distraction for a little while helps a lot.

 

[JacquiN]

Thank y’all so much. I did try the ear loops already. The mask part is still a bit big for her butt as yet.

I am in the process of making one that’s closer to her color(s). The first one I made was the first thing I’ve EVER made using a sewing machine. Total newb there too. There were some frayed edges that would catch her eye. She’s a total queen. I’m not even sure she knows she’s a chicken!

Hopefully one properly made & a big distraction will work.

 

[Chickassan]

They make those masks for children too,those might fit smaller butts better.

 

[JacquiN]

The only masks they had at the time were adult. I even tried modifying that to work.

I tried the new diaper on her and she wound up hyperventilating before I took it off. The kids were running around so I THOUGHT that would’ve been a distraction. My 4 yr old daughter loves her. There was just enough gap underneath the chest that when she sat down, her big ol goofy feet would snag underneath it. When she went to stand back up, she couldn’t. I did mend it to where there was not a gap. I wanted her to calm down before I went after her again.

Any other suggestions?? Or am I doing it right?

 

[chuckachucka]

That happened with my serama, the feet snagging underneath thing. I've sewed the diapers to adjust for this now. Does she like to be held and cuddled? I find it helps sometimes to put the diaper on then straightaway just hold her for a while so she gets user to the feel of it on her body without her worrying about if she can move normally in it. They worry about it, I think, until they realise they can still walk and fly and do everything as normal. They think they are trapped somewhere or weighed down and that's probably why your girl panicked.

 

[staceyj]

The only masks they had at the time were adult. I even tried modifying that to work.

I tried the new diaper on her and she wound up hyperventilating before I took it off. The kids were running around so I THOUGHT that would’ve been a distraction. My 4 yr old daughter loves her. There was just enough gap underneath the chest that when she sat down, her big ol goofy feet would snag underneath it. When she went to stand back up, she couldn’t. I did mend it to where there was not a gap. I wanted her to calm down before I went after her again.

Any other suggestions?? Or am I doing it right?

Try putting the straps on her wings crisscross applesauce .....so left ear loop crosses over her back and goes on right wing… It makes it tighter