Leg Bands?????

I've got several varities of chickens in my flock. What kind and size of leg bands should I buy? I've got welsummer, australorp, BCM, New Hampshire, leghorns, and Easter egger. What age should they be when I apply them? THANKS

I don't know of any set age for putting leg bands on but I have put them on at about 4 weeks you just have to make sure they don't out grow them before you change them out. As far as what type to use that's pretty much just what you prefer and anything from wire ties to numbered bands either plastic or metal will work. I don't bother anymore unless I have a certain bird that I need to segregate for some reason such as a good or bad broody. during the day I can tell the girls apart but if your grabbing of the roost in the dark a leg band will help you get the right girl
As far as size there are size charts out there that reference specific breeds and tell you what size they need but with a mixed flock you may need more than one size. That's why I always just use different colored wire ties( one size fits all).

What Dan said. Cutler Supply has one of those charts by breed but those only apply to mature hens. Roosters of that breed need something bigger. Regardless of what that chart says, you need to use your judgement and check regularly as they grow to change them out as needed. They will keep growing after they start laying.

I tried those bands from Cutler Supply but find I like the zip ties much better. You can adjust them to the individual chicken when you put them on but you still have to check back to make sure they are not getting too tight. That’s on my list to do this afternoon. You might be able to find colored zip ties at an electric supply store but I went online and ordered a bunch. I can’t remember what size I got. They were not tremendously long.

Be a bit careful of what colors you get. Don’t use dark blue or black on black legged chickens. Yellow on yellow legs, not a good idea. After they fade some, yellow and orange can be confused. Dark blue and black might be hard to distinguish. Don’t bother with clear. Try to choose contrasting colors and come up with your own code. I use the left leg to distinguish year hatched and different color bands and combinations on the right leg to determine individuals.

The dollar store here has multi colored wire ties.