Banding/Taging chicks ?

[zekii]

Anyone here tag or band their chicks to identify them from one group to the next ?
Wondering what methods work the best ?
I've seen leg bands and wing tags in various catalogs ... trying to see what others might be using ?

 

[Fiddlehead]

I am not a fan on wing tags. They look uncomfortable for the chickens. If I were to tag them in any way I would think the leg band would be the least intrusive?? Just IMO, of course : )

 

[Long Last Farm]

I use zip ties --thin ones used to bundle computer cables , etc together. I cut off the excess tie after I have given the chick a fasionable ankle bracelet

You have to watch them as they grow and make sure to remove the tie before it gets too tight! You can replace it with a larger one. Easy-peasy!

 

[zekii]

Quote:
Ingenious idea Long Last Farm, thank you for sharing !!1

 

[Long Last Farm]

you are welcome!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
I use the zip (cable) ties, too. The key is to keep an eye of them for size.

I get the multi-colored packs at Lowe's or Harbor Freight, they're not very expensive.

 

[Bobby Joe]

I just put them on the 6 week old roos didnt put them on the hens this makes it easier for me a new chicken guy to tell them apart . I had a very knowledgeable chicken guy come by the house and he told me which ones were roos some I knew but others didnt look like a roo til he educated me . I think the ZIP TIES are the best

 

[Chilifur]

I take a colored marker to the back of their necks (or top of the head) and paint it on. That way it's not a colored spot that others will pick on. Mid 40's and it looks like I finally really need glasses - I have a difficult time seeing the cable-ties to cut them off when they're tiny babies. Until they grow up and get real personalities, that color becomes their name!

 

[Christine21656]

The zip ties make me kinda nervous.. I am always afraid they will tighten somehow. And my kids like to name the chicks... so I started making my own leg bands. I just write their names in pen on a piece of paper... probably 1/4" by 1.5-2" and put tape on it to laminate it. I put another piece of tape on the end with the name, and somehow fold it together around the chick's leg and tape it on. They don't bother them and they're free

It does take a little practice to get them on, though. I would make the ring first, but I don't have anyone to help me hold the chick and put them on. You could easily color code them this way, too.