Chicken Saddles or Hen Aprons

These are handy little items that I’ve been wanting to aquire for some time.  I dreamed of ordering some from a chicken owner who sells lovely sewn ones with patterns & embroidery.   I waited a bit too long and the price went up, and a couple of my hens were in desperate need.  I’ve been hesitant to cut up fabric, again not wanting to waste anything, but I finally had to give in.  I recently purchased this large pack of washclothes from WalMart and while folding some, I realized that they are JUST the perfect size!

So.. I took out the green one above, put it over the hen, cut some holes for her wings & tail and tried it on.  It was a little too loose for her, because when I turned them this way they stretch really well.  So in I went to cut a second one, the white one.  They both are working really well so far as they are! I put the green one on a Buff Orpington hen, and it fit perfectly!  The white one is on one of my Gold Lace Hens.  Both look rather spiffy!  I didn’t cut the top corner off, that’s the part that is right at the back of their heads, it kinda looks like a hoodie sweatshirt 🙂 but we just tucked it under and it seems to be just fine.

Simple & cost effective, my two favorite things!

Why would you use one? Well.. in my case, two of my hens have been ridden BARE by their roosters, they need the added protection so he can’t hurt them and to give their feathers a good chance at growing back.  Other reasons might be an injury you want to protect, or even just because it’s something cute!