How do you mark or band new quail chicks?

[BorbQueen]

I would like to mark or band my new babies to help me tell them apart. For color and size purposes I would like to start selectively breeding right away. Looking for the easiest way to mark new chicks for record keeping purposes.

 

[catesquire]

Little colored zip ties work well. Just make sure to check them weekly to make sure they're not too tight, they'll need re-banding once or twice more as they grow!

 

[BorbQueen]

Little colored zip ties work well. Just make sure to check them weekly to make sure they're not too tight, they'll need re-banding once or twice more as they grow!

Do you have a favorite kind or will any tiny zip tie work?

 

[Nabiki]

Don't use red ones. They peck at red.

 

[catesquire]

Cheap Amazon ones, zip ties are zip ties.

 

[BorbQueen]

Cheap Amazon ones, zip ties are zip ties.

Wasn't sure if I needed like locking ones so they wouldn't tighten or if I could go with the fun colored ones I found.

 

[Nighthawk78]

https://silverhomestead.com/how-to-leg-band-quail-chicks/

I use the elastic bands linked in this website, haven't tried them on day-old chicks just yet because they arrived when mine were already 2 weeks old, but I do prefer them to zip ties. Just keep an eye on them for signs of fraying or wear so the birds don't ingest them.

 

[catesquire]

Aaah, I see the concern. I just use regular ones and cut them off right next to the tie part, which leaves virtually no way for the quail to accidentally tighten it themselves. I've never had an issue with it.