Chicken Saddles

Chicken saddles are soft back covers that protect a hen’s feathers and skin.

Use them when a rooster is breeding often, when hens are picked on, or during molt to prevent sunburn and scratches. Choose the right size, adjust the straps so it’s snug but not tight, and keep the saddle clean and dry. Check under the wings every few days for rubbing. Keep the saddle on until new feathers grow in—often 4–8 weeks, longer if needed—then remove it. If it’s very hot, give the hen shade and cool water, and take the saddle off for short breaks if she seems stressed.