Advise about chicken saddles

[leighks]

I will be putting a saddle on my buff Orpington Daffodil due to a scratch on her side I noticed today (from my cockerel overmating her- am looking at options on what to do about that). I haven’t used a saddle before, so these were my questions:
1. Since it’s still cold here in New York (20’s and low 30’s) I don’t want the saddle to keep her from fluffing her feathers. Should I put it on her every morning and take it off each evening?
2. I will have to put the saddle on her in the morning then leave for work, so I won’t know her reaction. I know each bird is different, but do they gererally accept the saddle? Will the other birds try to peck at it? She’s a top bird in pecking order so no one really messes with her.
Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've never used one. From my understanding some accept them and others have troubles. I believe you are also suppose to leave them on 24/7 with occasionally checking underneath them for parasites, and chafing.

I personally would just remove the rooster to let you hen heal for a while. It's too early in the season to have damage on hens already.

 

[red horse ranch]

I use chickens saddles whenever I have a hen showing feather damage from breeding. Most of them will walk backwards and make all kinds of contortions when the saddle is first put on. Some will just sit there, afraid to move. But for most hens after 10 or 15 minutes they forget that it is there. The saddles I like best have detachable shoulder pads. I don't always use the shoulder pad unless there is feather damage there too.

We have been having bitter cold weather since December and several of my girls have been wearing saddle feathers since fall. The saddle fits loose enough on their back that they can fluff up just fine.

 

[aart]

I've never used one. From my understanding some accept them and others have troubles. I believe you are also suppose to leave them on 24/7 with occasionally checking underneath them for parasites, and chafing.

I personally would just remove the rooster to let you hen heal for a while. It's too early in the season to have damage on hens already.

Ditto Dat^^^ Remove the male.

Not sure a saddle would cover the sides anyway.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I made my own saddles when I had a girl with a rooster injury. I made the double strap or cross strap saddle. They were tolerated just fine. It does take a some hens a little time to get used to the saddle but generally not long at all.

My only warning is about wet saddles. The chickens are used to feathers not clothes. If they go outside and get all wet the saddle doesn’t dry like feathers. Be prepared to have to remove and swap out wet saddle for dry.

 

[leighks]

I use chickens saddles whenever I have a hen showing feather damage from breeding. Most of them will walk backwards and make all kinds of contortions when the saddle is first put on. Some will just sit there, afraid to move. But for most hens after 10 or 15 minutes they forget that it is there. The saddles I like best have detachable shoulder pads. I don't always use the shoulder pad unless there is feather damage there too.

We have been having bitter cold weather since December and several of my girls have been wearing saddle feathers since fall. The saddle fits loose enough on their back that they can fluff up just fine.

Do you leave them on 24/7 or remove them each night?

 

[milogirly]

Do you leave them on 24/7 or remove them each night?

I had to put a saddle on my smallest pullet, as she was getting pecked by the bigger girls and had a huge bald spot on her back. She freaked out a little at first when I put it on, but she's had it on for about 3 weeks now 24/7 and her feathers are coming in nicely underneath. It doesn't bother her at all.

 

[chickens really]

How many Hens to Rooster is the ratio?...

 

[red horse ranch]

Do you leave them on 24/7 or remove them each night?

They may wear the saddles until the next time they molt, 24/7

 

[red horse ranch]

How many Hens to Rooster is the ratio?...

For large breeds it's 6 to 8 hens per rooster.