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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.
"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."
