Ever heard of a chicken wearing a saddle? No, we’re not talking about tiny cowboys riding around on chickens (though that would be adorable). A chicken saddle is actually a super useful tool for backyard chicken keepers, and if you’ve got hens and roosters together, you might just need one sooner than you think!
What Is A Chicken Saddle, Anyway?
A chicken saddle (also called a hen apron) is a protective fabric shield that covers a hen’s back to protect her feathers and skin from damage. Think of it as a little backpack or cape that your chicken wears to keep her beautiful feathers intact.
When I first mentioned chicken saddles to my husband, he looked at me like I had three heads! But trust me, they’re a real thing and super helpful for your flock.
Why Would A Chicken Need A Saddle?
Let’s get real about chicken reproduction for a minute. Roosters aren’t exactly gentle lovers. When a rooster mates with a hen, he:
- Stands on the hen’s back
- Grabs her neck feathers with his beak
- Uses his claws to grip her back and balance
- Can be pretty rough during the whole process
This mating behavior often results in hens losing feathers on their backs which can lead to
- Completely bald spots
- Exposed skin vulnerable to sunburn
- Painful scratches or wounds
- Risk of infection if skin gets broken
- Pecking from other chickens if wounds develop
A favorite hen might get more attention from the rooster, making her even more susceptible to damage. That’s where the chicken saddle comes to the rescue!
When Should You Use A Chicken Saddle?
You should consider using a chicken saddle when:
- You notice feather loss on your hen’s back
- Your hen has bald spots developing
- You have an aggressive rooster
- There are too many roosters for the number of hens
- Your rooster shows preference for certain hens
- The rooster is significantly larger than your hens
- Your chickens have limited space in their coop or run
It’s better to be proactive and put a saddle on before major feather loss occurs. However, if you’re already seeing bald spots, a saddle can still help protect the area while new feathers grow in.
One important note: if your hen is losing feathers but doesn’t have a rooster, or is losing feathers all over (not just on her back), she might be molting. Chicken saddles won’t help with normal molting, which typically happens in fall when chickens renew their plumage.
Are Chicken Saddles Really Necessary?
In some situations, absolutely! If you’ve got roosters in your flock, chicken saddles can be essential for protecting your hens from suffering. Without protection, hens can develop painful wounds that can get infected or attract pecking from other chickens.
That said, not every flock needs saddles. If you don’t have a rooster, your hens probably won’t need saddles (unless they’re pecking each other’s backs). And even with roosters, if there’s plenty of space and enough hens per rooster, you might not see much feather damage.
I’ve found that my Silver Speckled Hamburg hen almost never lets a rooster catch her, so her feathers stay perfect. Meanwhile, my White Rock hen quickly went nearly bareback! Each chicken is different.
How To Make A Chicken Saddle
You’ve got a few options for getting chicken saddles:
- Buy commercial saddles – There are many ready-made options available online
- Purchase handmade saddles – Check places like Etsy for custom-made options
- DIY your own saddles – A fun project if you have basic sewing skills!
DIY Chicken Saddle Materials:
- Durable fabric (cotton duck, canvas, or other sturdy material)
- Soft lining fabric (flannel works well)
- Elastic (about 1/4 inch wide)
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Chicken saddle pattern (many free ones are available online)
The good news is chicken saddles aren’t complicated to make! Even with just basic sewing skills, you can whip up several in no time. Plus, you can choose fun fabrics – my kids helped pick out some Ninja Turtle, Star Wars, and My Little Pony fabrics for our chickens!
What To Look For In A Good Chicken Saddle
Whether buying or making chicken saddles, here are important features to consider:
- Correct size – The saddle should be appropriate for your chicken’s breed and size
- Wing and tail protection – Some saddles extend to cover these vulnerable areas too
- Easy to put on – Look for adjustable elastics that can move freely
- Flexible but durable fabric – Should conform to the hen’s body but withstand rooster claws
- Appropriate weight – Needs some heft to stay in place but not be too heavy
- Neutral colors/patterns – Flashy designs might attract pecking from other chickens
How To Put A Chicken Saddle On Your Hen
Putting a saddle on your hen is pretty straightforward:
- Hold your chicken securely, keeping her wings closed against her body
- Place the saddle on her back with the elastic straps pointing toward her head
- Gently guide each elastic loop under one wing
- Make sure the saddle covers the back area and sits comfortably
- Check that your hen can move normally with the saddle on
Most hens adjust to wearing a saddle quickly, though some might try to shake it off at first. If your hen seems distressed or the saddle keeps coming off, double-check the fit and make adjustments as needed.
Common Questions About Chicken Saddles
Do I leave the saddle on all the time?
Yes, most chicken keepers leave saddles on continuously. Every so often, you might want to remove them for cleaning or to check on the condition of the feathers underneath.
How will other chickens react to the saddle?
Results vary! Most flocks adjust quickly, but occasionally other chickens might be startled by the change in appearance. One chicken keeper shared a hilarious story of putting a saddle on her hen, only to have the entire flock panic, with feathers flying everywhere! The moral: introduce changes gradually when possible.
How long should a hen wear a saddle?
If the saddle is protecting a wounded area, you’ll want to keep it on until the area is fully healed and new feathers have grown in. This could take weeks or even months. For general protection, hens can wear saddles indefinitely as long as they’re comfortable.
Can chicken saddles help with pecking issues?
Yes! While primarily designed for rooster damage, saddles can also protect hens from feather picking by other chickens. If you notice your hens pecking at each other’s backs, a saddle might be the perfect solution.
Other Chicken Accessories: Chicken Diapers?!
While we’re on the topic of chicken clothing, let’s mention chicken diapers! These are exactly what they sound like – diapers for chickens. They’re mainly used for:
- House chickens that live indoors
- Chickens recovering from illness or injury who need to stay inside
- Temporary indoor stays during extreme weather
Chicken diapers have a waterproof liner in the pouch and are designed to fit comfortably around the chicken’s tail. They’re washable and reusable, making them a practical solution for indoor chicken keeping.
Final Thoughts
Do I spoil my chickens with saddles? Maybe I do! But they’re farmyard royalty in my book. They clean up kitchen scraps, help with pest control, produce fertilizer, turn compost, and give us delicious eggs. If my girls need a few chicken saddles to keep their feathers beautiful and their skin protected, that’s what they’ll get!
Remember that old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? With chicken saddles, a simple DIY project can prevent painful injuries and infections. Whether you buy them or make your own, chicken saddles are a small investment that can make a big difference in your hens’ health and happiness.
Have you tried chicken saddles in your flock? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
P.S. Looking for more chicken-keeping tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest homesteading advice and chicken care information!
What is a Chicken Saddle?
Okay, first off, a chicken saddle is not a piece of equipment you use to ride chickens. But I think we all knew that to start with. A chicken saddle is a cloth ‘saddle’ that covers the back feathers of hens. The ‘saddle’ stays in place by having straps that go around the shoulder joints of the wings. Some fancy chicken saddles have fabric protectors on the wing straps to help protect the wing feathers as well.
A chicken saddle, also known as a hen saddle, is used to protect a hen’s back feathers during the process of mating. A rooster needs to stand on the back of a hen in order to mate with her. He will also move his feet back and forth in order to keep his balance, which is a behavior called treading. Unfortunately, his sharp toenails and spurs can often cause damage to the hen’s back feathers and sometimes the shoulder feathers.
Hens who receive a lot of attention from a rooster can end up with feather loss on their backs and shoulders. The hen may have broken or missing feathers on her back or even bare skin and bloody spots. Chicken saddles are a great way to help protect the hen’s back and not disrupt any natural chicken behaviors. A hen saddle can at least protect the back feathers or bare skin of the back if all the feathers are missing. Some hen saddles can also protect the shoulder feathers if they have additional fabric protection attached to the shoulder straps.
DIY Chicken Saddle Tutorial
- Print off the chicken saddle pattern. Cut it out and pin it onto the fleece.
- Cut it out of the fleece with your fabric scissors and take the pattern off.
- Sew around the entire saddle using 1/4 inch seam allowance.
- Cut your elastic into 6 1/2 inch pieces. Sew one end of each of your elastic pieces on to the top of the chicken saddle as indicated on the pattern.
- Sew the other end of each elastic piece to the sides of the chicken saddle as indicated on the pattern. Make sure you backstitch several times across both ends of the elastic pieces. This will keep the elastic securely fastened to the chicken saddle.
- Trim off any loose threads and the hen saddle is complete!
Tip: To make a hen saddle that also protects a hen’s shoulder feathers, you will want to sew on fleece ovals that extend from the shoulder straps of the saddle. The ovals should be big enough to cover the main shoulder area of a hen’s wing.
This chicken saddle pattern is designed to fit large chicken breeds like black Copper Marans, Black Sex Links, and Amaraucanas. To make chicken saddles that fit smaller breeds, you may need to shorten the elastic pieces and the length or overall size of the chicken saddle.
