Poultry Breeding Saddle

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a solution to my Orpington Hens losing feathers from their back due to enthusiastic attention from the cockerel! I need to keep them together for breeding purposes, but don't want the hens to suffer. I've heard of poultry breeding saddles - a kind of protective pad which is strapped to the hens back. Not sure how well they work or best place to source one. Does anyone have any ideas, advice or alternatives?

 

[Davidd]

Hello, they are good- fit on easy and great for protecting their backs- Ebay is good, or "google" poultry saddles but there are other places- make sure you get the right size. Only other thing to help is to remove the cockerel until the feathers have grown back- but if your breeding from them then that's not an option
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Davidd, Will give it a try

 

[kelloggs]

I find as long as they are a good fit they do help but if you have large cockerels keep a close eye on the girls.

I give my girls a thorough looking every couple of days and although one of my girls was happily dust bathing and eating the other day when I checked her she had a two inch gash in her side just below the saddle :shock: . A clean cut from the cockerels grip and only recent , so please keep a close eye on them at this time of year. Shes now been separated and will be for a while til she fully healed.