How do you mark chicks safely?

[Bedste]

I may end up coloring feathers with a magic marker on the top of each ones little bitty heads.. I know not to ever use RED .or pink.. If I end up finding bandettes and I can afford them I will use them.... If I find a dollar tree and can get zipties that are already colored.... because of the warning I will be extremely careful and clip off the excess so it can not be pulled. All of these chicks will be going to their new homes in 2 weeks. I will remove the ties before they leave my "custody". These babies are precious and we are trying to watch how their feather develop so that we can determine the sex. Some want Roos and some want HENS and we probably have both....

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I put mine on so loose that Blacky even lost one so I had to make it a click or two smaller then just clip the end off so that it can't be pulled. I use side cutters/wire cutters while DH held the chick still. Simple to prevent that kind of thing.

When chicks are in the brooder inside, especially since the OP is taking their picture every day or so I'm SURE that they are being handled/observed often enough to replace the band before it grows too small.

The problem I had with "real" leg bands was that I couldn't find anywhere that offered sizes/colors in quantities less than 50.....and I only banded TWO chicks. I had a similar problem with Frontline and a large breed puppy I didn't need 4 months of 10lb size because by 2 months she was already 27lbs. Companies should really offer a "for the growing phase" way to purchase their products.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
I put mine on so loose that Blacky even lost one so I had to make it a click or two smaller then just clip the end off so that it can't be pulled. I use side cutters/wire cutters while DH held the chick still. Simple to prevent that kind of thing.

When chicks are in the brooder inside, especially since the OP is taking their picture every day or so I'm SURE that they are being handled/observed often enough to replace the band before it grows too small.

The problem I had with "real" leg bands was that I couldn't find anywhere that offered sizes/colors in quantities less than 50.....and I only banded TWO chicks. I had a similar problem with Frontline and a large breed puppy I didn't need 4 months of 10lb size because by 2 months she was already 27lbs. Companies should really offer a "for the growing phase" way to purchase their products.

I realize that you probably already have it covered with the zip ties (which i also found to be very easy to use and never caused any problems with my chickens), but this place lets you buy the plastic leg bands one by one if you're ever interested. And i think that whatever thread i got this link from said the owner is a BYCer.

For posterity, i also found this person on ebay, selling small packages, including these stretchy latex bandette type bands.

 

[Winsor Woods]

Quote:
I put mine on so loose that Blacky even lost one so I had to make it a click or two smaller then just clip the end off so that it can't be pulled. I use side cutters/wire cutters while DH held the chick still. Simple to prevent that kind of thing.

When chicks are in the brooder inside, especially since the OP is taking their picture every day or so I'm SURE that they are being handled/observed often enough to replace the band before it grows too small.

The problem I had with "real" leg bands was that I couldn't find anywhere that offered sizes/colors in quantities less than 50.....and I only banded TWO chicks. I had a similar problem with Frontline and a large breed puppy I didn't need 4 months of 10lb size because by 2 months she was already 27lbs. Companies should really offer a "for the growing phase" way to purchase their products.

It's your decision to use zip ties or not. I think the risk is too great. I've seen too many problems even when the "tag" end has been cut flush. Most of the time it won't cause a problem but when it does, it's a nitemare. I speak from falconry and rehab experience and there's plenty of people who've put zip ties around birds legs that have regretted it. I don't want this to turn into a "should you or shouldn't you" debate. I just want to bring my experience to the table and let people know that I've seen, first hand, the damage zip ties can cause. In every case of zip tie damage I saw (over 30 incidents) every single zip tie had the tag clipped and it still ratcheted further. This happens because you can ratchet by EITHER pulling the tag end or pushing the fat end. All it takes is for the fat end to get bumped and it ratchets and now you've got a little tag end to pull again.

Again, I'm not trying to call anyone out on the carpet over this. It's your own choice. Just don't fool yourself by thinking that because you've clipped the tag end, it won't get tighter.

Dan

 

[Highland Moongazer]

I got the rubber bands linked up above (different seller, though) and they work fine for my adult quail and for new chicks. Standards will outgrow size 4 in about a week, bantams in two.