My Sense of Humor?

It's interesting how algorithms work.  I shouldn't be surprised that lots of animal-related things show up on my Instagram feed.  This made me chuckle:

Honestly, I know what a chicken saddle is, but, also honestly, it has been a minute since I've thought about one.  (First thing that inevitably comes to mind is "Who/What is small enough to ride a chicken?"  "How do you put on the bridle and the reins?")

Those of you who might have gone a little naughty with the phrase "ride a chicken?"  Here's your pay-off.

The fact that there are two names for this is tremendous.  Personally, I prefer "mating saddle."  "Chicken apron" is something that mama chickens in children's books wear.  Like so:

So, you put the mating saddle on your hen because you have a rooster who might overmate.

(Why do I find this so funny?  I'm having to stop periodically while typing this to giggle.)

So you, as the chicken farmer, have to know 1) which roosters have overmating tendencies, including treading, 2) when mating is likely to take place so you can 3) put the mating aprons on the hens to whom your roosters have taken a fancy.

Poultry are complicated.  Think about these things if you're contemplating backyard chicken ownership.

Now, if any of you are going to do research on anything here, understand that you might wind up someplace that has pictures of chicken sex.  Some harmless, some showing graphic treading.  If you don't go that far, you'll at least find some cute chicken saddle patterns!