Hen Saver

Our hens have been really getting mauled by Lola our rooster. He has been mating furiously with them all winter and their backs and tail feathers have sustained some damage. We would really like to keep Lola because he really is a sweet rooster despite this. He protects the hens and is a really beautiful bird, but I don't want our girls to be hurt either. My friend Amy sent me a link for this site, (as I joke I think!) and I went and ordered some vests or aprons (or saddles if you in the the UK) and put them on the girls straight away. They were not too pleased and for awhile they just stood stunned. Bean-Bean tried to pull her's off with her beak, but Buffy adjusted more quickly, after stumbling around the kitchen backwards trying to rid herself of the offensive new outfit! I'm hopeful that this solution will allow their feathers to grow back in and protect them from further "lovin's" from Lola. He should at least not be able to claw up and break off their feathers while mating with them. Soon spring will arrive and they will be able to free-range outside more freely. Hopefully Lola will get his mind on new spring grass instead of chicken ass! (sorry but it rhymed!) Here is Bean-Bean, sporting her new vest! (you can see her feather damage..poor thing, she's nearly plucked clean under that vest!)