Unpopular opinion: I thought chicken saddles were a waste of money until my rooster got rough

I always figured my hens could handle a little feather loss and those little aprons were just a silly gimmick. Then my big Rhode Island Red rooster, Bruce, started getting really aggressive with my favorite Buff Orpington, Betty. After about two weeks, her back was completely bare and starting to bleed. I was worried about infection, especially with all the dust in the coop. I caved and bought a basic $12 saddle from the feed store in a panic. Put it on her, and within three days the raw spots were scabbed over and she stopped flinching away from the flock. New feathers are actually coming in under it now. I feel awful I waited so long. Has anyone else had a rooster that just wouldn't quit, and what did you do besides the saddle?

3 comments

3 Comments

patriciasingh24d ago

Wow, Bruce really took 'ruffling feathers' literally.

nancy35116d ago

I used to think he was just clumsy.

parkerb2324d ago

Classic Bruce. Man's a walking disaster with feathers.