"Winter coats for free range chickens" ????

[patandchickens]

(I know this isn't about behavior or eggs but I'll be darned if I can figure out where else to put it)

I was talking to some folks at the drop-in play center this morning and was asked about, quote, winter coats for chickens. Several of the women say they read an article somewhere, not long ago -- they think it might have been in Readers Digest or Time or something like that, or perhaps not -- apparently about someone making, or selling, or using (they weren't sure) winter coats on their hens to allow them to free range in bad weather.

They were asking me what I thought about this. I just sort of sat there slack-jawed, boggling

Any of y'all have any clue what in heck they're talking about?????


Pat, now desperately curious about it

 

[silkiechicken]

Maybe these coats were "saddles" to prevent roo damage to feathers?

 

[ozark hen]

nope don't know what they were talking about but.............your chickens will build up immunity if left alone. We have several members in Alaska who can testify to this. Best not to add heat to the coops either to build up their stamina. I am sure there are exceptions to this but if it is bitter cold like the weather in upper Canada and Alaska then those folks will jump on here give you advice as to what they do. Here in southwest Missouri, we only put a light bulb over the waterer to keep it from freezing when it gets that cold. My chickens free range all winter, some stay in the coop and others go outside. Some love lying in the sun out of the north wind. Their feathers are their coats.

 

[gritsar]

And they were serious??
I haven't a clue. I subscribe to Reader's Digest so I don't think it would have been in there. My eyes zero in on anything to do with chickens.
My chickens have winter coats. They're made of high quality down too.

 

[HennyPennies2007]

A couple of times I have told Hubby that I need to get someone to knit little hats and mufflers for my hens!

 

[patandchickens]

No, I described saddles, and even chicken diapers, and the ladies were quite adamant that these were coats to keep the chickens warm for cold-weather free ranging.

Glad to see others here are as puzzled as me, but I wish I could figure out what the heck it was they read!

Pat

 

[bulldog-girl]

I can see a few problems with the "Chicken Sweater" thing.

1)-I think that the chickens would argue about who had the prettiest sweater

2) They would spend too much time preening into the water container admireing their own reflection.

3) They would not be diligent about hanging them up at night or getting them in the laundry.

4) If they were damaged, lost or missing-they would not confess to what happened. "I dunno" "It was here a minute ago"

5) Would give the roos something to grab onto.(so in that respect the roos would be all for the sweaters)

6) They would "borrow" the other girls sweaters without asking thus resulting in "hen fights"-also enjoyed by the roos as good entertainment in dull winters.

7) Some of the girls may only be interested if the sweaters had labels like Tommy Hilfiger or Vera Wang.

8) If your hens were all dolled up in desighner sweaters they could get labled by the neighbor chickens as "spoiled"


Wow-too much to think about. I can't afford a Chicken Psychologist.

 

[gritsar]

 

[ChickenTender63]

Pat, you mean to tell me you don't use these? ANd your in Canada for petes sakes. Are you just letting your chickens freeze?

Mine will only wear the pink ones and they love them. Madonna swears by them and said they are the best thing since a fried egg and is endorsing the products.

I figured, if it's good enough for Madonnas chickens, then mine need them too!

 

[patandchickens]

Well maybe I could knit legwarmers for them, or multi-toed socks. I am not sure I want chickens worrying about accessorizing, though.

Loved bulldog-girl's analysis of the subject

Pat, big ol' meanie, makin' her chickens go NEKKID all winter