Banding??

[Want Less]

At what age do you usually start thinking about banding your chickens? We have 6 babies (3 RIR and 3 black sex links) that are almost 2 weeks old. I know we have a ways to go but just trying to get an idea.

Also, votes on buying "real" bands verses using colored zip ties? (aka cable ties) I know they need to be removed & replaced with new ones as they grow, but otherwise, any reasons as to not use zip ties?

[[Edited to add: For those of you who use "real" bands, is there an online source where you can buy several colors in small amounts? Ideally I'd like 6 different colors, but at the least I would need 2 each of three different colors... all I have found so far only allows you to buy a whole bag of one color.]]

Thanks everyone!

 

[debilorrah]

The bands that are out there are big enough to put on a bird early in life. They will not come off because their feet are big, but there is plenty of room to grow and still be loose. Zip ties would be a pain to keep changing.

 

[Ariel301]

I'm using colored zip ties on a few chicks to help identify them. I've got a green one on the chick that belongs to my nephew, and as I can tell males from females, they are getting blue or pink. I got very small zip ties and when I trim the end after putting it on, I leave a small tail (not long enough to get in the bird's way though) so I can adjust it. They are the cheapo zip ties from the Dollar Tree. I will eventually probably get some nicer leg bands, but I have to save money right now, so you can't beat 100 ties for $1!

I put the first band on my nephew's bird when it was a week old. That way he can tell which one of the chicks is his when he comes to visit. The chick sort of pecked at it and had a little trouble moving around for a few minutes, and after that was not bothered by it at all. I did find that for a few days, every time the other chicks saw the bright colored band, they would attack it, but my chicks have also been unusually mean ones this year.

 

[Want Less]

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The bands I have seen online are all in different sizes... how do I know what size I need?

 

[Want Less]

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I didn't think you could make zip ties bigger after you put them on?

 

[BriteChicken]

The ones I'm tempted to get are these...

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_88

HTH's