Band Free Range Guineas?

[Vaughnr007]

Hey, I've read a lot of the threads concerning banding but havent run into one addressing banding free range guineas. My guineas return to the coop every night except when a hen starts sitting. I've lost 4 hens this year for that reason and I've tried locating their nests but haven't been very successful. I would like to band for generational and genetics reasons.However, I'm wondering if leg bands would interfere while they free range?

 

[R2elk]

Hey, I've read a lot of the threads concerning banding but havent run into one addressing banding free range guineas. My guineas return to the coop every night except when a hen starts sitting. I've lost 4 hens this year for that reason and I've tried locating their nests but haven't been very successful. I would like to band for generational and genetics reasons.However, I'm wondering if leg bands would interfere while they free range?

Proper leg or wing banding should not interfere with free ranging.

 

[KirbyH]

Can you band them yourself, if so how?

 

[R2elk]

Can you band them yourself, if so how?

Yes. Most bands are self explanatory. It depends on the purpose for banding. If the purpose is to permanently identify, use a metal band that is numbered specifically for your purposes.

If it is for visual identification, I use colored zip ties.

Put the band on so that it is loose enough to not hinder blood circulation but no so loose that it can get caught on anything or slide off.

 

[KirbyH]

Do you wait until they are adults to do this—I would think so. Where do you get the metal bands?

 

[R2elk]

Do you wait until they are adults to do this—I would think so. Where do you get the metal bands?

For the permanent bands, the birds need to be adults.

Most large hatcheries or game bird suppliers should have leg bands available for sale. Your local game warden may also know of a source since people raising game birds (pheasant, quail, etc.) for release are required to band their birds.

There is a recent thread about banding guineas and the poster is going to get the leg bands through the local G&F source.