Chicken Saddles: What, Why & How To Use One!
I admittedly chuckled the first time I saw a photo of a chicken wearing a saddle. I think part of this came from the fact that every time there is a chicken joke or meme of a chicken dressed up in a costume, or in a baby carrier etc, at least 10 of my friends send it to me. I'm not a crazy chicken lady by any means but sometimes I think people want me to be??
We were away for a few days and came back to find one of the hens with a gruesome back injury. She had been roughed up pretty badly. Her hen sisters had started pecking a hole in her back and it was very deep. She was healthy and still going about her routine otherwise so we decided to try and heal her. This photo is gross but also a reality of keeping animals, so avert your eyes if you must.
The Injured Barred Rock hen
Given the season and the fact that the emergency coop was buried under snow we decided to give the chicken saddle concept a try. It's often used to as a protective measure. Overzealous roosters are known to pull out the hens tail feathers and gouge the flesh when "mating". It's also good for protecting the hen and giving her time to heal.
The back up coop in early spring
No Sew Chicken Saddle
We first cleaned the wound which was not pleasant. The hen was very much against the idea. Then after cleaning and covering with a medicated cream we slipped the saddle on. Here's how you make it!
Supplies
- Jeans with a leg width of 9″ (or any heavy fabric of similar dimensions)
- Two pieces of 7″ long x 1/2 wide elastic
- Needle/thread or sewing machine
Instructions
- Measure and cut off the bottom nine inches of the leg from an old pair of jeans.
- Take a marker, measure and mark off the shape as illustrated above.
- Cut out the pattern.
- Tuck one end of each piece of elastic in-between the top two pieces of denim, one at each corner, and secure tightly using a needle and thread.
- Take the other end of each elastic and position it on the lower part of the fabric. Measure 1″ from the edge and affix the elastic on both sides. If your fabric is narrower than 9″ you will want to move the elastic closer towards the edge to compensate.
Note: I have tried using strong Velcro and also snaps to make the straps adjustable but they don’t stay on quite as well.
Putting The Saddle On The Chicken
Chasing a chicken is never fun. The best time to try putting the saddle on is at dusk when the hen is on the roost. It can be done with one person but this task is easier with two. While one of you holds the chicken the other can carefully slide the elastic strap through the exposed wing and pull it over the body. Take the chicken from the person holding it, and they can slide the other wing through the strap. The hen will peck at the straps for a while but she'll eventually get used to wearing it.
The Results
Jeanie: aptly named by some little boys that liked her "jean jacket" has made a full recovery. The hole in her back healed and filled right back in. You can't even tell there was an injury there. Soon after the area was fully feathered again and Jeanie is good as new. That's pretty amazing regenerative healing! She no longer wears the saddle and no one has bullied her since.
A chicken won't thank you for saving her but you'll feel good all the same!
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Chickens are really mean - as soon as they see a spot of blood it's like an obsession to just keep pecking it. This is a really good idea - I've never seen one before. :)
They really are "mean girls" when they get it in their heads to be! I learned about it on a facebook group. I didn't think much of it until I was in a situation that dictated some extreme measures. The ones I've seen for sale are a lot prettier than mine but I am not much of a seamstress!
Wow, that is a great idea. I have never heard about this. I know the Roosters can be quite mean and rough with the hens....I'm glad she healed. She didn't mind the Jean skirt? lol
She hated it! She runs away from me now whenever I come near.
I tried these once on a bird but the other birds freaked out at the change in appearance! I had to take it off.
that really doesn't surprise me. It's too bad it didn't work. I know there was a bit of fuss at first and I thought I might have to put one of all of them to even things out - but by morning they were all "cool" with it.
If it looked like they would have settled down, I would have left it, but they were attacking her!
chickens ...are such divas! They constantly teach me something new.
Great idea! And so cute!! We use cut up jeans to make eye patches for cattle with pink eye. Works really well!
oh, what a neat idea. I don't know much about cattle so I've learned something new! :)
It's so cool looking at the way you are treating the chickens = ) I actually admire you for taking care of the chicken that was hurt. They are creatures after all.I hope she won't be bullied again and end up with such a wound .
Thank you for contributing to the Steemit Community.Keep up the great work and I'm looking forward to your next posts.
Thanks! We keep a small flock so I do tend to get attached to them. She is beautiful and healthy now and you'd never know she had a wound. It was a happy story.
I gotta say this first, it was my first thought: "Let 'em Buck" (traditional bull rider call for the ride).
It's not just the rooster that is rough. Once the hen has a wound there the other hens will peck and pull. As you know, it can be fatal.
And one more thing. Fly tying type people would be very interested in your chickens skin after they are done with it. Those pelts are very widely used in the business and could be another income stream for you. Just sayin'
Thanks for a great post. I really did appreciate it.
It really does look silly. Had the injury been worse we might have had made a different decision but I am glad it worked out. She is a nice hen and a good layer.
The idea about selling the pelts is very interesting. I was reading the other day about all the things that can be done with chicken feathers. Apparently paper and plastics can be made from them. I've been thinking about seeing if we can make feather meal for the garden. I could use more nitrogen in the soil. I've just been putting the feathers in the compost but I'll keep what you said in mind.
Thanks!
I usually chuckle when I see a chicken wearing a saddle or sweater, also. However, it has never crossed my mind to do something like this when they are injured. Such a good idea!!
I have followed you, and look forward to reading more of your blog posts.