Removing hen saddles

[Joannmcg]

My 4 hens have been wearing hen saddles due to the effects of mating. We have just rehomed our rooster. When can we remove the saddles? Is it better to keep them on as they heal? How long will it take for new feathers to grow in and is there anything we can do to help speed up the process?

 

[Robert G]

My 4 hens have been wearing hen saddles due to the effects of mating. We have just rehomed our rooster. When can we remove the saddles? Is it better to keep them on as they heal? How long will it take for new feathers to grow in and is there anything we can do to help speed up the process?

I would also like to know. I have 11 hens and 1 rooster and he has all of them balding.

 

[Purple_grape84]

They won't regrow new feathers until they molt. If there is no red blood showing I don't see any reason to leave them on, unless they might get sunburned. When they are molting provide a high protein snack ocasionally

 

[coach723]

It's kind of up to you. You might want to leave them on for a little while, since pecking order may reset due to removing the roo. That way there is not bare skin available during spats. When I have to use them, I generally leave them on until new feather growth is enough to cover the bare skin, that's just my preference. It does protect them from the sun also.

 

[Joannmcg]

Thanks for the responses. Great points.