How do you ID your chickens?

[seanb]

We have 12 chicks that are around two weeks old. 3 leghorns, 3 Bar Rocks, the rest are a mix of Auricana and Astrolorps crosses. We know 8 are hens but the other 4 haven't been sexed. We're having a lot of fun raising them and have found names for a few of them so far. Question is, when they mature, will we be able to tell one from the others among the same breeds? Does anyone leg band or is that a no-no? Other means of safely identifying them?

I'll post some pictures in a day or two.

Thanks.

 

[sfw2]

You can legband your chickens, as long as you don't put the bands on too tight. You've got to allow for future growth. Keep an eye on them, and replace the bands when they start to get snug.

 

[chickmama320]

What can you use to band them with? When we got home I put nail polish on different toes.

 

[Fat Man]

The kids named ours. Our current flock is of different breeds except for two, so the kids have no problem remembering who's who. Our previous flock was a mix of Buff Orpingtons and Guinea Fowl. They where named too. After they fledged only one had a name, Hen Pecker in Charge. The others were just the birds.

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

We use colored spiral leg bands. As I have integrated 2 flocks, so the Original 6 have theirs on their right legs, and the new guys have them on their left, so I can reuse a color. I didn't start using them until they were already adults, and we had no trouble getting them to adapt to having them on.
I highly recommend this type of ID for a small flock

Brightest blessings

 

[tclegg]

Sorry I only had a few diff breeds (5) so I could use sharpie on their right hand nails to decide diferrence...Had a frined wanted some of my pullets...Worked fin they didn't know diff...

 

[tclegg]

I was only to have pullet---but had a few that were a diff breed (stow away) so maybe a problem) but not company problem not heir fault can happen...I am still happy.. I have 13 and ALL are seem doing be VErY gOOd AFTER 4 WEEKS...VERY HAPPY..kNOW THINGS HAPPEN...SILL WILL WATCH,,AND iM DOING WHAT i can...Hope all is well...They ALL seem VERy HAPPY! eating out of my hand and sleepng at nite---am I GOOD mom? mY hUSBAND SAYS WHATEVER?

 

[BuffaloWings]

How about name tags?

 

[tclegg]

No iam naming abes...

 

[tclegg]

Sorry love all girl..but all ove them or very active..