How do you remove leg bands/leg tape from hatchery ducklings?

[TracyLovesDucks]

The masking tape around my ducklings' legs is getting too tight. Metzer Farms says it will fall off after two weeks, mine are on 10 days and there's no signs of the tape coming loose. Are there any tips for safely removing it without breaking their little legs, cutting their skin, or overhandling them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

The masking tape around my ducklings' legs is getting too tight. Metzer Farms says it will fall off after two weeks, mine are on 10 days and there's no signs of the tape coming loose. Are there any tips for safely removing it without breaking their little legs, cutting their skin, or overhandling them?

I believe I'd let the swim in some nice warm water and try cutting the bands off with a small pair of scissors wrap each duckling in a towel so they won't be so stressed.

 

[Amiga]

May I share that the day we needed to cut the bands off their legs (I had already heard horror stories about what happens if you don't), I was about as nervous as I have ever been?

My beloved held each of our fifteen ducklings (four were for a friend), letting their little legs go between his fingers. I used nail clippers to snap the bands off.

I agree with Miss Lydia, if it's masking tape, I would think that warm water would soften it up quite a bit. Do you have the rounded tip scissors that avoid puncturing skin?

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

May I share that the day we needed to cut the bands off their legs (I had already heard horror stories about what happens if you don't), I was about as nervous as I have ever been?

My beloved held each of our fifteen ducklings (four were for a friend), letting their little legs go between his fingers. I used nail clippers to snap the bands off.

I agree with Miss Lydia, if it's masking tape, I would think that warm water would soften it up quite a bit. Do you have the rounded tip scissors that avoid puncturing skin?

Oooh no I don't have those rounded tip scissors, what a good tip. I'm going to try removing the tape tonight with the help of my SO. If I feel uncertain while doing it, I'll consider waiting until I can get some of those scissors. Thanks Amiga and Miss Lydia, good call on soaking the tape first, too!

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Well we got the tape off of each of the 4 ducklings' legs. My SO held them down one at a time with the belly facing down against the kitchen counter. We loosely covered the head with a t-shirt to get them to relax. Then I extended the leg backwards (like they do when stretching while laying down). I cut off as much of the tab (where each end of the piece of tape meet, it's kind of like a flag) as I could without slicing the leg using manicure scissors. Then it was pretty easy to peel the rest off.

I let them go for a swim before hand to wear 'em out a bit and loosen the tape like we talked about. But getting the tape wet made the whole process a little more difficult because the adhesive on the tape got all gooped up (imagine peeling a price sticker off of a drinking glass after running it under the faucet). I would do it while dry next time.

Some skin came off with the tape, but I think the skin was already dead as it didn't cause any pain. Otherwise, it's like they forgot the whole experience and everything's back to normal

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well we got the tape off of each of the 4 ducklings' legs. My SO held them down one at a time with the belly facing down against the kitchen counter. We loosely covered the head with a t-shirt to get them to relax. Then I extended the leg backwards (like they do when stretching while laying down). I cut off as much of the tab (where each end of the piece of tape meet, it's kind of like a flag) as I could without slicing the leg using manicure scissors. Then it was pretty easy to peel the rest off.

I let them go for a swim before hand to wear 'em out a bit and loosen the tape like we talked about. But getting the tape wet made the whole process a little more difficult because the adhesive on the tape got all gooped up (imagine peeling a price sticker off of a drinking glass after running it under the faucet). I would do it while dry next time.

Some skin came off with the tape, but I think the skin was already dead as it didn't cause any pain. Otherwise, it's like they forgot the whole experience and everything's back to normal

Great to hear and sorry about the tape getting gooey I didn't realize it is some kind of masking like stuff.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Great to hear and sorry about the tape getting gooey I didn't realize it is some kind of masking like stuff.

No need to apologize! It all worked out, and I felt much more confident doing it with you ladies' advice and ideas

Thanks again!

 

[Miss Lydia]

No need to apologize! It all worked out, and I felt much more confident doing it with you ladies' advice and ideas

Thanks again!

I'm glad it did, I thought the leg bands were made out of paper for some reason and though the water would soften them enough they might just fall apart. But anyway glad you got them off now how about some pics of the lil ones.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

I'm glad it did, I thought the leg bands were made out of paper for some reason and though the water would soften them enough they might just fall apart. But anyway glad you got them off now how about some pics of the lil ones.

I will definitely post some pics soon! (I actually don't have any pics of the littlest ones... No smart phone, so I still use a digital camera which can sometimes be a hassle).

In addition to the new babies (2 blue and 2 chocolate runners) I have 4 2-month-old fawn and whites. I just introduced the little ones to the big ones tonight... Holy cow! I can't tell if the big'ns want to eat the lil'ns or are just curious, but they were going crazy. I'm glad to have accommodated for this crazy reaction beforehand. I set up a fence in their duck house so that they can live together but can't get at each other. Not until the lil'ns are big enough to hold their own. It's crazy, but I had no idea what to expect (I kind of thought the two groups wouldn't even acknowledge eachother, haha!).

 

[Miss Lydia]

I will definitely post some pics soon! (I actually don't have any pics of the littlest ones... No smart phone, so I still use a digital camera which can sometimes be a hassle).

In addition to the new babies (2 blue and 2 chocolate runners) I have 4 2-month-old fawn and whites. I just introduced the little ones to the big ones tonight... Holy cow! I can't tell if the big'ns want to eat the lil'ns or are just curious, but they were going crazy. I'm glad to have accommodated for this crazy reaction beforehand. I set up a fence in their duck house so that they can live together but can't get at each other. Not until the lil'ns are big enough to hold their own. It's crazy, but I had no idea what to expect (I kind of thought the two groups wouldn't even acknowledge eachother, haha!).

I only have a digital camera too. I bet those older ones didn't know what to make of the littles. One reason we always caution folks not to put little in with older ones because either they are going to be terrified of the littles or they will attack them. Hopefully it will only take a little time for yours to make a complete flock. look forward to seeing pics of them all.