The Saddles Led to Bloody Shoulders?

[Jerhanner]

We got the girls who were showing some extra wear into their saddles and their backs are coming along nicely - but their shoulders (the top of their wings) are now horribly red and bloody. Are the other chickens picking at them? I haven't seen it happen, but maybe when I'm not around? Or has my rooster figured out a way to grab onto their wings and skip the saddle altogether?

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[sourland]

It really sounds as if you are dealing with feather picking/plucking.

 

[Jerhanner]

It's on both the saddled girls, but since one is the Head Hen I wasn't sure if anyone else would have the nerve to peck HER.

 

[Tonyroo]

My rooster grabs his hens by the wing shoulder to mate. If your rooster is doing that it shouldn't cause bleeding and feather loss.

If in doubt take time and watch what there doing.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is the saddle elastic too tight?

I tried a saddle pattern I found online and discovered that it's too small for my large dual-purpose breeds but would probably fit the California White.