Maine chickens are wearing saddles for protection and fashion

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 17, 2024

If you see a hen in what looks like a dress, it might be for a good reason. Chicken owners today, who may see their flocks as pets rather than livestock, buy their birds some luxuries: high-end coops, expensive treats and even holiday decorations. Some are also buying functional gear for their birds, such as “chicken saddles,” which look similar to clothing but serve another purpose: protecting hens from losing feathers and getting hurt by mating with roosters.