What is the difference between the single and double strap styles? How do you put them on?
The single-strap hen apron secures to your chicken like a backpack: by pulling the left loop of the strap over your chicken’s left wing and the right loop over the right wing. Check that the straps are not caught in any feathers and be sure center the apron on the strap so that it sits squarely on your chicken. There is no strap crossing below the chicken's throat. The double-strap apron is secured by pulling it over the chicken’s head and placing your chicken’s head through the loops made by the intersection of the two straps. You must pull each strap over the appropriate wing (left strap over left wing, right strap over right wing). Be sure to keep a finger between the straps and the hen’s throat while you pull the straps over the wings so as not to inadvertently choke the chicken.
Which model is best for my chicken?
The single-strap hen apron has no strap across the chicken's chest and is therefore easier for most chickens to accept; however, some chickens may be able to remove the apron. The double-strap style crosses chicken chest, which takes chickens some time to get used to -- and some never do. This model is more difficult for chickens to remove. The single strap better accommodates size differences and seems to work better than the double strap on narrower/smaller standard chickens or much larger ones.
I put the hen apron on and my chicken is walking backwards (or lying down, or doing back flips, or rolling over…). Should I take it off?
The double-strap style crosses below the chicken's throat, which takes most chickens some time to get used to, either minutes, hours or perhaps days. Some of our customers refer to this time as “waiting for the backwards circus to end.” First, be sure the straps of the apron are not too tight under the chicken's throat. If they are, you need a larger size. If the straps fit well, but after a day or so your chicken acts like she is uncomfortable with the straps crossing her chest, or her antics cause other chickens to peck at her, you should return the apron for a single-strap model.
My hen apron is falling to the side. What can I do?
Make sure the apron is centered on the straps and the bird. You may have to adjust it periodically. If it frequently flops to the side, you may need to try a different size.
My hen apron is lifting up. What can I do?
The Hen Saver is intended to lift up when your chicken flaps her wings. This so that air can circulate under the apron and to enable your chicken to successfully take a dirt bath. If the apron stands up and stays up, your apron is too small for your chicken. You may exchange it for a different size.
My hen apron will not lay flat. What can I do?
Your apron is either too small for your hen or too wide between her shoulders. You should exchange it for a different size or model.
What size is best for my chicken?
Large fits most smaller standard-sized hens and Extra Large fits larger standard-sized hens. It is better to have an apron that is too large rather than too small, so if there is any doubt about size, go with an XL apron. The single strap style is more forgiving with regards to size as the straps secure around the wings and do not cross over the chest. Small and Medium sized aprons are for bantam chickens. They are very close in size to each other and much smaller than Large aprons. The small apron provides a better fit to slightly narrower and shorter-backed bantams such as Silkies. For roosters (hawk protection) size large fits bantam roosters, XL fits most standard roosters and XXL fits the "Big Boys."
How often do you update your apron designs?
We are always testing tweaks to the design to incorporate suggestions and feedback provided by our customers. If our R&D department, aka "the girls in the field," give a particular design change an enthusiastic "two toes up," we will incorporate it into our next run. Our designs are updated, on average, every 4-6 months.
What design changes are you currently testing?
We are testing width changes, neck protectors, chest protectors and the addition of red and yellow "predator eyes" to the top of the apron to deter hawks from attacking chickens.
If you would like to try "predator eyes," you can add them to your apron order when purchasing from our store.
FAQs
Where are Hen Savers manufactured and why?
Our Hen Savers are made both in the USA and Bangladesh. While some aprons and all custom orders are made in the USA, we also contract with a reputable US clothing and fabrics manufacturer that has a high-quality factory in Bangladesh. Why? For two reasons: 1) The cost of manufacturing 100% in the US is so high that the retail price of our Hen Savers would be north of $40 each; and 2) although the price of a Hen Saver would be only about $4 if we manufactured in China, we refuse to do so because quality control is so poor that we fear harm to chickens. Our mission is to make the highest quality apron for your chickens at a price that YOU can afford to pay. To us, it's simple: if people can't afford to buy our Hen Savers, it will be the chickens who suffer. We have worked very hard to strike the best possible balance between manufacturing as much as possible in the USA and being able to provide a reasonably-priced product that greatly increases the quality of chickens' lives. If you would prefer that your order be made 100% in the USA, we would be more than happy to accommodate your request -- please contact us for a quote.
More questions? Contact us: (800) 980-4165
you will be taken to
Crazy K Farm's storefront for purchase
