Rough Rooster, Sunburned Hen

[skunknchatter]

So my rooster is pretty rough on a couple of my hens. One hen's back is totally bald now (her head is in bad shape too). I'm usually more of the "old school" frame of mind when it comes to chickens. I've had this problem with a hen or two in the past and just let it run it's course. However, I'm starting to feel bad because this hen is SO sunburned on her back now. Enter the 'hen apron'. Anyone use them? Can I just put it on and leave it on? I don't want to have to dress and undress a hen every day. I'm thinking I'd just patch one together from a free pattern and some sewing scraps. But I don't want to waste my time if it's not going to help. Thoughts?

 

[dawg53]

So my rooster is pretty rough on a couple of my hens. One hen's back is totally bald now (her head is in bad shape too). I'm usually more of the "old school" frame of mind when it comes to chickens. I've had this problem with a hen or two in the past and just let it run it's course. However, I'm starting to feel bad because this hen is SO sunburned on her back now. Enter the 'hen apron'. Anyone use them? Can I just put it on and leave it on? I don't want to have to dress and undress a hen every day. I'm thinking I'd just patch one together from a free pattern and some sewing scraps. But I don't want to waste my time if it's not going to help. Thoughts?

Just put the apron on and leave it on.Your hen will put up a fuss, but she'll get used to it.

 

[skunknchatter]

So DS is sick today and DH is gone to wildland fire training. What do I have better to do than make "hen savers"? Found a handy tutorial link from a few threads here on BYC. Made 2 out of old denim jeans. I figured the thicker fabric would be better and I didn't have to mess with interfacing. I did one with snaps on the wing elastic and one without. I think I like the one without a lot better. I also made the elastic a bit shorter on the one without snaps because the one with snaps seems a little too lose. I may have to go back and shorten the straps if she ends up figuring out how to get tangled or take it off.

Putting them on was a lot easier than I thought it would be (the snaps were actually harder to deal with than just pulling the wing through). And once they were on the hens didn't seem to care at all. 3 hours later they are still on. Hopefully this will give them a little relief. They are my 2 youngest and smallest hens and it seems they haven't figured out how to fend off the rooster yet.

 

[emmaie892000]

I'm glad I found this thread, I hadn't even thought about my poor baby getting sunburned! We just lost a couple hens, so now my smallest has become my rooster's favorite, and has a bare back. I've been meaning to buy a chicken saddle (I can't sew at all

) but now I should probably hurry up!

 

[skunknchatter]

I'm glad I found this thread, I hadn't even thought about my poor baby getting sunburned! We just lost a couple hens, so now my smallest has become my rooster's favorite, and has a bare back. I've been meaning to buy a chicken saddle (I can't sew at all

) but now I should probably hurry up!

Yeah, I would have left well enough alone until it got good and sunny here. Her back was pink, then red, then dark red. I figured I'd better do something. I was browsing the Buy, Sell, Trade section and there is someone on there who sells chicken saddles for under $5. Great option if you don't sew. I have to say, I felt like a dork putting "clothes" on my hens but they are kinda cute running around with blue jeans on their backs...

 

[chickengeorgeto]

So my rooster is pretty rough on a couple of my hens. One hen's back is totally bald now (her head is in bad shape too). I'm usually more of the "old school" frame of mind when it comes to chickens. I've had this problem with a hen or two in the past and just let it run it's course. However, I'm starting to feel bad because this hen is SO sunburned on her back now. Enter the 'hen apron'. Anyone use them? Can I just put it on and leave it on? I don't want to have to dress and undress a hen every day. I'm thinking I'd just patch one together from a free pattern and some sewing scraps. But I don't want to waste my time if it's not going to help. Thoughts?

Google "depluming mites" this is likely not your roos fault, roosters can get this almost microscopic parasite as well.