saddle question well more like a few!

[chickenlittle1980]

I am new to all of this.................... I just found my sewing machine now I need to blow the dust off.....
ok here we go.....

When do I put saddles on hens?

How long do they stay on?

When will I know to take them off?

Should I leave them in the coop a day or so after (city chicken wil sometimes fly over fence only twice now)..... been thinking about putting my phone number on the saddles

How often should I take them off and wash them and should I give their back time to air out?

 

[paddock36]

I'm not a saddle expert but I have bought them before I had a sewing machine and made them after I got my sewing machine. I put them on when I notice a young hen had been pecked by another hen or when I noticed a bald spot developing. I leave them on and check on them every couple of days to see how things are going with feather development. I also check to make sure that their wings are not being irratated from the straps. I take them off if they get wet from the rain or when they don't need them anymore.

 

[Motherof4]

what is a saddle and what is it used for. never heard of them before. do you need them when the hens backs are bare?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yep, that's exactly what they're used for. I have one hen that wears one.
To the OP: First we tried the ones (both homemade and bought) that just go around each wing. Couldn't keep it on her to save my life. Then we bought the kind where each strap criss crosses her chest and has the shoulder pads. Much better luck. She keeps it on until I take it off, usually once a week or when it gets really wet. Once you have one in your hands, how to put them on becomes pretty obvious.