Turns out, people are keeping their chickens warm in a much more stylish way than one might think. I'm talking crochet sweaters, colorful saddles, you know, the good stuff. And it's not like these things are hard to get. Everyone can find them on ETSY just like that. Designers have been appealing clothing for these feathery fashionistas for a while now, and they just started releasing their Fall collections.
This post may include affiliate links.
Some people, however, say that sweaters, for example, might make a chicken colder. You see, one way that chickens regulate their body temperature is by fluffing their feathers. "They trap pockets of air in the downy layers of their under-feathers, which insulates them quite well," Daphne Cybele wrote.
But Maureen Schmidt, who lives in Kelowna, British Columbia, disagreed: "Without adequate feathering, they can get quite cold, especially if they drop their old feathers all at once." Schmidt's mother knitted quite a few warm garments for her daughter's chickens. She designed the sweaters to have an opening for the birds' heads and wings, and they button to secure to their bodies. Schmidt believes these sweaters don't restrict her chickens' movements and that the birds adjust to them quickly.
Erin Langston, the creator of online shop WhimsyofWillows has also heard the negative things people have been saying about chicken clothing. "I've heard the claims and they're just that, claims," Erin told Bored Panda. "I have never had any problems in the five years I've been using chicken sweaters. Chicken sweaters make people happy!" However, the woman said that chickens should always be supervised while wearing any type of clothing.
"You don't want your pet chickens to get injured so [their clothing should be something] that is easy to get on and get off. Chickens will outrun you."
"You don't want your pet chickens to get injured so [their clothing should be something] that is easy to get on and get off. Chickens will outrun you."
Moreover, many rescue organizations use chicken sweaters. Mostly, when they're taking in battery hens, which are usually sold for slaughter when they start producing fewer eggs. These birds are often missing a lot of their feathers because of the cramped, stressful conditions they've lived in.
Haha! This comment made my day. It's the simple things... BAGOCK!
"The hens usually come out of farms quite bald and can be underweight,” said Miranda McPherson. She has knitted sweaters for England’s Little Hen Rescue. "They will soon fatten up and regain their feathers with the right care, but while they are waiting for their feathers to grow back, they can benefit from our knitted jumpers."
Oh my word. All my hens and roos have Harry Potter names. Imagine if they had sweaters with their names on them, or at least initials like Weasleys!
Bold colors and styling...even a rooster (?) enjoys a fashion statement.
No sweaters are needed for birds! If they're sick then they can be looked after with heat lamps or if they have dropped too many feathers than a temporary jumper might make sense but for the rest? No. Animals are generally well equipped for the weather on their own and putting clothing on them might make it harder for them to regulate their own temperature.
Heat lamps are deadly and start many house, coop, and barn fires a year. If you need to warm small animals use something built for that reason and safe. Even a 75 watt bulb in a draft free area will produce enough warmth for any recovering animal. Leave heat lamps for the large animal caretakers who know how to use them.
It's literally not that big of a deal. It's cute and it DOES help keep them warm. Also, chickens are warm-blooded, so they don't "regulate their temperature." If you're going to try to tell people how they should care for an animal, at least do your research first.
They can use them in winter :) It helps them stay nice and warm
Most of these are crocheted, not knitted...just saying
Birds don't need sweaters
No sweaters are needed for birds! If they're sick then they can be looked after with heat lamps or if they have dropped too many feathers than a temporary jumper might make sense but for the rest? No. Animals are generally well equipped for the weather on their own and putting clothing on them might make it harder for them to regulate their own temperature.
Heat lamps are deadly and start many house, coop, and barn fires a year. If you need to warm small animals use something built for that reason and safe. Even a 75 watt bulb in a draft free area will produce enough warmth for any recovering animal. Leave heat lamps for the large animal caretakers who know how to use them.
It's literally not that big of a deal. It's cute and it DOES help keep them warm. Also, chickens are warm-blooded, so they don't "regulate their temperature." If you're going to try to tell people how they should care for an animal, at least do your research first.
They can use them in winter :) It helps them stay nice and warm
Most of these are crocheted, not knitted...just saying
Birds don't need sweaters