Banding Ducklings

[DuckGirl77]

So, it's not till next spring that I'm getting more ducklings but I'm planning ahead and I was wondering what the best type of bands would be for my ducklings. I know there's other threads about this, but haven't found one that was exactly like my situation.
A school is going to hatch WH ducklings and I'm getting them after a few weeks, but I'm not keeping any of the drakes, so I'm going to go over and band the males before the bill markings disappear. I know this is not the most reliable method, and I may vent sex them when I get them anyways, but I've never tried to do that before so I'm going to mark them according to bill markings anyways. So, obviously, I'm not going to be there every day to see if they need new bands, but I can come as often as I need to to change the bands. It would be easiest if I only had to come, say, once a week, but knowing how fast they grow, weeeell ....
So my question is, what is the best type of band I can use? I don't want any of them to get hurt because the bands aren't changed enough, but they won't be at home, so I won't know exactly when they need need new bands. What should I do? Thanks.

 

[Amiga]

Good you are thinking it through.

I use colored velcro wraps, soft side in, and trimmed to size.

 

[DuckGirl77]

Thanks. Where do you get them, and how often do they need to be replaced?

 

[Amiga]

I got them at an office supply store, and after 5.5 years, they are still on, and fine. Two or three needed to be replaced after a couple of years, and I took a few off because my Runners, who used to look very much alike when they were solid black or brown, now have distinctive snow markings, so they're easy to tell apart.

 

[DuckGirl77]

Oh, I thought I was going to have to pay a pretty penny for some of those special leg bands they make for poultry! That's a relief! I will have to pick some velcro up next time I'm at the office store. Thank you!