How can I tell my leghorns apart?

[Allman27]

My 6 leghorns are about 17 weeks old and looking like twins, or sextuplets. How do i go about knowing who is who? Kids have names for each and want to keep them straight. Are leg tags good? Or do they peck at them all day? Thanks much!

 

[Evanloveschickens]

My 6 leghorns are about 17 weeks old and looking like twins, or sextuplets. How do i go about knowing who is who? Kids have names for each and want to keep them straight. Are leg tags good? Or do they peck at them all day? Thanks much!

Leg bands should do the job, or food coloring on feather.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

I had a couple chickens that looks very similar since they were the same breed same age and such. I noticed a different personality in each and kept them separate that way. You and your kids might do the same. I’ve never used leg bands but I don’t see them messing with them all that much unless they’re super loose.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

I have leg bands on my girls. They played with them for a couple hours and were fine after that. I did avoid red bands though.

 

[Baumshell28]

I just banded all mine a week or two ago. I have 12 hens...7 Barred Rocks & 5 Golden Comets. Package of 24 large bands made up of 4 colors, so I had to use duplicate colors. On the duplicate bands, I put a #1 or #2 on them with Sharpie & spray painted a sealant over the numbers. Then listed & named them in a notebook for record keeping purposes. I was pleasantly surprised. They only seemed to be curious and/or uncomfortable with the bands for about 10 minutes! None of the bands have come off or “broken open” at the attachment point. Also, you can see on the list a “Pox” column with a choice of Y or N for each. I thought about banding them sooner, but never did it until some of them developed Fowl Pox and needed to document spread and treatment.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I use the small locking colored zip ties, checking every week & changing as they grow. I've had 6 BO, eventually I was able to tell them apart by color shade and personalities. You'll even know who laid by their egg shapes.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Colored zip ties. and no, its not an issue - they stop paying much attention to them after a bit.

 

[Allman27]

Thanks everyone, ill give the leg bands a try. My 6 year old daughter whats to know always who her dovey is. ....and my 4 year old son wants to know at all times who is fluff butt. Thank you for all your help

 

[aart]

I have leg bands on my girls. They played with them for a couple hours and were fine after that. I did avoid red bands though.

Yep, they get used to them pretty quick.
Had chicks tip themselves over pulling at their own bands.
Red bands are not problem.

I use small zipties, takes some practice and the right tools....
.....and all leg bands needs regular monitoring.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/leg-banding-with-zipties.68075/