how to keep day olds straight (who is from which hen)

[Minky]

I used something similar (sold as deer netting, or bird netting for fruit trees) and it worked really well. I was concerned there would be claws caught in it etc... but I had 42 eggs in there, and none got tangled. I did keep an eye on them though...And I made sure it was taught and kept that way with duct tape.

 

[Minky]

and I REALLY liked slurpee straws sliced lengthwise and cut into cuffs for the leg bands. Got that idea from someone on here and it was perfect!

 

[Minky]

Also- to tell the gender--I have dangled a steel needle over the head of each bird... and it was incredible... freaky really.... boys are circles, girls are straight lines.... needs to be steel. Large needle with eye works way better than a nail (put thread thru it) and dangle right above crown. Be patient- wait until bird is not moving its head..and needle stops...then it will start moving in either a circle or line. pretty damn cool. Hope the results are accurate- we will see in a couple of months.

 

[Finnie]

And the chicks don't get tangled in them?

They seem to do fine. Sometimes a beak will get stuck through the mesh, but they are always able to get it free again. I’ve been pretty happy with this method, compared to the baskets and other methods I’ve tried. I’ll definitely keep doing it his way for at least as long as the 100 bags that came in the package last.

 

[Warrior gamefowl]

I’ve used hatching bags with no issues. As far as identifying, nobody here marks toe webbing? I mark their toes, sometimes a nostril. Those marks identify the birds for their life. Without good marks you can’t
keep good records or improve your birds IMO

 

[Barnmaradotte]

When I am wanting to keep chicks separate without opening the incubator ( divider walls won't keep hyper chicks at Bay) I use the smaller garment bags. Some have a real fine mesh and work really good. Just put some in the bag at lockdown. Voila! Then band them once the incubator can be opened.

 

[Finnie]

I’ve used hatching bags with no issues. As far as identifying, nobody here marks toe webbing? I mark their toes, sometimes a nostril. Those marks identify the birds for their life. Without good marks you can’t
keep good records or improve your birds IMO

How do you mark nostrils?

 

[Kgbao]

Can you tell me where you'd get such small zipties? Would a little bit of pipe cleaner work?
I like the idea of wire baskets but im not sure how to divide a small styrofoam incubator.....

Lowe’s sells them, I got mine there. Might have to get creative if to many chicks and use 2 per chick, like a red and green on same chick. They sell single bags black, green, and white. Also sell a tub, with neon colors, pink, green, blue, yellow.

 

[Warrior gamefowl]

How do you mark nostrils?

You can cut the little tag of skin over a nostril. I use split toe marks and punch holes in the webbing. If those combinations aren’t enough you can cut say right nostril and start all over. It’s rare if ever I need to mark nostrils