Chicken saddles

[wcah]

I run 6 hens with 1 cockeral. 3 hens are very bald I carnt find any mites or bugs on them so im taking it its feather damage from the cockeral. I think that saddles are for this? I looked on ebay for them and they are £6 each. Are they any good and do the hen generaly get used to wearing them? How long does it take for there feathers to grow back? Has any on made these? if so would you be so kind to give me some sizes so that I could make my own as £18 to me is alot of money at the moment.
Many thanks

 

[tygrysek75]

I'm using one at the moment,saves my poore hen back,yoursis worse and I suspect they peck at her as new feathers comming out are very juicy(bloody).I would not wait any longer try this seller http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170862495934?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Marigold]

That's a very reasonable price, and they actually look rather smart, I think the cockerel might get quite turned on if she was wearing one of those outfits!

 

[Margaid]

I've not experienced this problem yet so I don't know how much longer you can let it go on. As someone who sews I'd suggest that if you want to make your own why not buy one and then make a pattern from it? Do you have suitable materials - I would imagine that it needs to be quite sturdy but would need lining with something softer to protect the hen's bald skin. If you have lots of time, the materials to hand and your hen's aren't going to suffer further then try it out. If you have to buy stuff to make them it's probably not worth it because any fabric sturdy enough won't be cheap.

 

[chrismahon]

We've bought that brand in Tygryseks photo as well. But they hate the wings so we've cut them off. The difference in sizes is very small but makes a HUGE difference in fit. You almost need to taylor them to each hen, which we will do in time. The material does get shredded so I would buy one and duplicate it with a pair of old jeans. It also gets wet so a spray of tent fabric waterproofer could be good. They need to be removed periodically as the hen needs to preen the new feathers. But they do keep them warmer.

 

[wcah]

Im going to have a play today at making a pattern for one, other wise i will have to buy one and copy that. I can get hold of loads of fabric from the upolsterars who work next door they should have somthing sutiable and tough. good idea useing tent waterproofer got some of that in the garage.