Length of Time Wearing Saddles

How long do you leave saddles on your hens?

I guess it would depend why they are on there.
My turkey saddles will stay on (if they will stay on) until breeding season is over.
For chicken saddles, if they are on to protect a bald spot until the bald spot has grown in, and if to protect from an over active rooster, until breeding season is over.

Have you ever had a problem with chaffing in the armpits ?

I havent used them in my chickens, although I should on a couple hens, but never noticed that in my turkeys.

Do you guys make your own or buy them?

I havent made my own yet, still might try. I got my only chicken saddle from Miry creek, and have turkey saddles from a few people. Havent had a chance to try the one Miry made on my turkey yet either...Soon.
The turkey saddles I got from TripleJ are very nice, fancy. The one from Miry is nice and heavy duty, going to compare the two types and see how they do.

liz wrote:Have you ever had a problem with chaffing in the armpits ?

That sound very uncomfortable...I have never seen that, but my elastics go around the wing and then cross in front of the chest rather than just around the wings.

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liz wrote:How long do you leave saddles on your hens?

If I put them on as soon as I notice the feathers wearing and breaking usually a month is long enough for the feathers to come back.

I learned the hard way by leaving a white rock hen with her favorite rooster until all the feathers on her back and wings were gone...even seperated it took a very long time (until her next molt) for her to get them back.

My hens wear them during the breeding season as a preventative, I find some breeds like the buckeyes have a softer feather and it wears away quicker.