I use colored zip ties as they come out of the hatcher. I tighten them enough that I can't slip them off the foot so still a little loose. They're good for about 10 days and need replacing. I check them weekly at first and eventually they're good for several weeks. I start using bands when a #6 will stay on. I still keep the zip ties because if bands fall off of 2 birds I still have a point of reference. I keep sets of #6, #7, #8 and #10. The adult roosters can usually keep #10 on, adult hens #8.
I had to zip tie color code one batch of chicks last spring. I was suprised how many times I had to change the bands -- you can only make them so roomy when you put them on, or they can fall off or get the back toe caught in them, but then the chicks grow fast & you have to keep a real on it so you can cut them off b/f they get too tight to cut safely. Also, the birds didn't grow at all at the same rate, breeds, pullets vs roos, & just individual birds, this was really important you have to check all the birds zip ties regularly b/c even though you start w/ them the same size the same day, after that you'll find birds that need them changed way fast than others, you have to inspect every single band individually don't make any assumptions , really handle each bird to check!
So what's up with this chick's wing feathers? I have a couple Silkies with wing feathers growing in like this. Is it a Silkie thing?
