California - Northern

[PetRock]

was wondering what the best leg band solutions were. Any inputs? I've seen zip ties, but didn't know how hard it was to clip those off. The spiral ones: what is a good size for growing chicks? I thought I also heard of Vet Wrap as well, wondering how well that works.
Thanks in advance

I use tiny colored elastic bands to mark newly hatched chicks. Then I change to colored zip ties at 1-2 weeks. You do need to be diligent in checking as they grow to make sure they are not too tight. I have graduating sizes of the zip ties and just keep increasing the size as the bird grows. I just bought a package of small and medium sized zip ties at The Dollar Tree yesterday. $1.00 for 100 ties is a pretty good deal and they are very pretty colors! I used to use the spiral bands for younger birds but they are harder for me to get on and off. The zip ties just snip off. I also have some numbered bands in various sizes if I need to keep track of a particular bird. I do occasionally have problems with the adult birds losing their numbered bands. I'll find them in various places especially with the birds in the field at the farm. I have thought about using wing bands. Does anyone use them?

One other thing about the zip ties. One batch of chicks that I hatched picked on the chicks that had on red zip ties. I've only had it happen once but I have been trying not to use red ones since then.

 

[chiqita]

And what about toe punching?

I have never figured out how you are supposed to make that individual.

 

[casportpony]

I'll be wing banding my peachicks this year. Each chick will get two in case one falls off, which I've been told does happen.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

And what about toe punching?

I have never figured out how you are supposed to make that individual.

There's a limited number of combo's one could do, so eventually you would have to repeat the pattern, same with zip ties.

-Kathy

 

[BCollie]

SUCCESS!! I'm so happy! The little siblings are out in the yard without the big girls trying to kill or injury them. They've been pecked twice, and it wasn't bad at all. Yay yay yay! As soon as the cockerel is fully feathered, these two will start living outside.
I still don't trust them unsupervised of course, but this is a VERY good start.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

So I've got an AM bantam cockerel who isn't doing so well. He's fluffed up, thin, very lethargic, eyes closed, clicking when he breathes, and not eating or drinking unless forced. I'm thinking either worms, or cocci. I've given him a small amount of dewormer, as too much in a weak state could kill them. Anything else?

I'm so bummed right now because tomorrow was my deworming day.

 

[casportpony]

Here's a toe and nose? punching chart:

Add a whole bunch more if you have some breed with five toes, lol.
-Kathy

 

[caychris]

SUCCESS!! I'm so happy! The little siblings are out in the yard without the big girls trying to kill or injury them. They've been pecked twice, and it wasn't bad at all. Yay yay yay! As soon as the cockerel is fully feathered, these two will start living outside.
I still don't trust them unsupervised of course, but this is a VERY good start.

Your dog is so cute.

 

[sewandgrow]

If you put the end through the hole a certain way, it locks. The other way, it will keep sliding. Try it and you will see. Difficult to explain.

They might peck a time or two, but they are fine with them. All my chicks have them at first and it has not been a problem. It's very important to check tightness at least once a week, maybe even more.

I have never had a pecking problem except with red & that was minimal..no harm done.

I've never had a problem with a zip tie tightening on it's own or with the aid of another bird.

The biggest problem, is you have to be vigilant about replacing it as the bird grows. The zip tie has NO give and will do irreparable damage to the foot/leg. Potentially causing the bird to lose it's leg or life.

This probably isn't a problem if you have a dozen birds, it can be a problem if you are growing out hundreds.

I will sheepishly admit to it happening to me. I missed changing a band until I saw a youngster limping. When I checked there was a zip tie that never got changed out. The birds leg was trying to grow out on both sides. I was able to cut the zip tie out and the bird recovered from the limp, but she permanently has a ridge in her leg where the tie had been.

She'll never make it to the show table, but is in a breeding pen and serves as a permanent reminder to me to be careful with zip ties.

This is scary........... I did it too & almost crippled a pullet. I discovered it because she was limping. It is easy to think you have gotten them all off especially with the feather shanked little buggers. I felt so bad. Now O vow to switch them to their permanent wing bands before they leave the brooders to go to the grow out pens.

I use tiny colored elastic bands to mark newly hatched chicks. Then I change to colored zip ties at 1-2 weeks. You do need to be diligent in checking as they grow to make sure they are not too tight. I have graduating sizes of the zip ties and just keep increasing the size as the bird grows. I just bought a package of small and medium sized zip ties at The Dollar Tree yesterday. $1.00 for 100 ties is a pretty good deal and they are very pretty colors! I used to use the spiral bands for younger birds but they are harder for me to get on and off. The zip ties just snip off. I also have some numbered bands in various sizes if I need to keep track of a particular bird. I do occasionally have problems with the adult birds losing their numbered bands. I'll find them in various places especially with the birds in the field at the farm. I have thought about using wing bands. Does anyone use them?

One other thing about the zip ties. One batch of chicks that I hatched picked on the chicks that had on red zip ties. I've only had it happen once but I have been trying not to use red ones since then.

I have used many different colors of zip ties. My favorites are the small mixed color packages from Tractor supply. I can't remember why now but I didn't like the ones from the dollar store.......go figure...........they were such a bargain. I only use them when they are new chicks & need to be marked like Delawares with Light Sussex in the same batch or OEs in a mixed batch of BCMs & AMs. I switch to the aluminum permanent wing bands before putting them out to the grow out pends after the brooders. I got the wing bands system from Cutler I think some years back when I was hatching bunches & growing them out. I really like them. They are easy & permanent. I have even used them on small chicks but the poor little things thought something was wrong & pecked at their own shoulder a bit til they got used to them.....LOL

I'll be wing banding my peachicks this year. Each chick will get two in case one falls off, which I've been told does happen.

-Kathy

Kathy,,, I have never had one fall off that was clipped on correctly. You can tell when you close it if it screws up & you just remove it & use another. It doesn't happen often.

 

[casportpony]

SUCCESS!! I'm so happy! The little siblings are out in the yard without the big girls trying to kill or injury them. They've been pecked twice, and it wasn't bad at all. Yay yay yay! As soon as the cockerel is fully feathered, these two will start living outside.
I still don't trust them unsupervised of course, but this is a VERY good start.

They look happy!

-Kathy