[ceri green]

hello all

i really think that i'm going to have to get saddles for 2 of my hens due to too much attention by overenthusiastic cockerel!

has anyone any recommendations please? I have found several types - calico, leather, canvas etc but don't know which kind is considered best and most comfortable whilst hopefully allowing the feathers to grow back.

i am assuming that they wear them all the time, including at night ( in case of early morning passion)?
are the other hens (or indeed Dirty Dylan) likely to pick on them if they're wearing them?

any advice/experiences most welcome please!

thanks
ceri 

[Roughlee Handled]

I would says they would have to wear them all the time (untill feathers come back).


How many hens do you have to your cockerel? 

[ceri green]

hi stuart

Dylan has 9 wives, and although he seems to distribute his affections fairly evenly as far as I can tell, 2 of them have bald backs which have got to the stage where they need protecting. It is only in the 'treading' area that they are affected so i'm more or less positive that this is the cause of the problem.

I just wondered what was the best material - leather presumably will last longer but might it be too hot, make them sweat (do chickens sweat?)etc.
the other choice is calico/canvas

any recommendations?

Ceri

[Roughlee Handled]

I am sure you can purchase them.  I did think that he may not have enough girls to er ... occupy him but he has enough.

May be you could purchase hood for the girls head to hid there comb.  (read the article below)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10619   

I think he is a comb Cockerel!!!!!!!!!!!