Can't tell em apart!

[Noobiechickluv]

I'm new to chickens, so excuse this dumb question....
We have 6 buff orpingtons. One of them, we were sure was a rooster, but we saw her lay an egg. Her name is Pat.

The other 5 look exactly alike. Since they are just starting to lay, we would like to know who's who. Someone is laying rubber eggs and I would like to keep an eye on her. How do you guys tell them apart?

I thought maybe I could put a different color zip-tie on their leg, but my husband thinks they might peck at it...
Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[tlcarnes2176]

I used zip ties on my chickens before. Just make sure it is loose enough to cut off as they grow. They do sell leg bands to put on your chicken to tell them apart. I'm not sure if anyone else has used them, but mine never seemed to know they were even there after they were put on.

 

[Noobiechickluv]

Thanks for the quick response! Think I'm gonna try it