How to remove embedded zip band from leg?

[MsRiderUp]

I purchased some BCM's and the 16-week-old pullet had a zip tie band on her leg. The birds went to sleep the first night they were at their new home. In the a.m. I noticed that one of the pullets was limping.

Inspected closer and the zip tie is embedded in her leg! I suspect that something frightened her between going to sleep, and the a.m., and she hit her leg. It must've swollen, and now I can't get it off. Used my cuticle clippers to cut the 'lock' part down as much as possible, but haven't been able to relieve any tension in it yet?

Suggestions? Will have to cull this pullet if I can't save her!

 

[Kelsie2290]

I'd keep using the clippers edge to cut the tie if that is all you have, if you have nippers or diagonal plyers or even sharp scissors they would work better... even if you cut into the skin on her leg a little getting it off it is better than culling her.

 

[CollegeChicken]

i agree omg dont kill her bc she has a zip tie stuck on her leg! LOL you u can get it off, take the bird inside and have someone hold her and just chip away at it with scissors, nail clippers, use tweezers or a large sewing needle so you can get underneath it a little bit and start chipping away and cutting at it...as stated above even if the skin is 'nicked' it will not kill the bird ( obviously try to be as gentle as possible) good luck with this!

 

[MsRiderUp]

Thanks so much for this suggestion. I was able to contact the breeder and his suggestion worked: he said to get regular size scissors and sort of lay them on/parallel to the leg, then cut from that angle. I didn't think it would work, because I'd already tried the whole chipping away at the lock thing. The scissors worked, even though there was NO space between the zip tie band and her leg. Treated the area with hydrogen peroxide, then put neosporin on it. I won't peroxide again (I believe it can actually prevent flesh from healing), but I may apply neosporin again. Tried to isolate her to recuperate, but she freaked out when I separated her from her pullet buddy, so I just kept the two of them isolated. Figured she'd use the leg less if she remains calm. She is already walking better! Yea!

There is life after zip tie leg bands!

But I will NEVER keep one on any of my chickens again!

Thanks for the concern.

 

[tridentk9]

Oh no, poor girl. She's very lucky you noticed so quickly. I bought zip tie bands for my chickens but hadn't used them yet.

This video shows a method for removing a ring from a swollen finger.

 

[MsRiderUp]

That is an excellent video! Who woulda thought? I think that executing it would be a two-person job with a chicken. I just am NOT keeping any zip-tie bands on my birds!

On the other hand, I have dust allergies and twice my wedding ring has had to be cut off because my hands swelled up in an allergic reaction. This method might have saved all of that trouble. For now, I have to take my rings off every night because night time seems that it's the time that I've had problems. Perfect video! Thanks!

 

[MrsBachbach]

Colored zip ties are fine for identification purposes. Inexpensive too. However, you do have to regularly monitor the bird's growth if you are going to use them. I usually end up changing out ties four to five times until the birds are grown out and I always leave enough room for it to fit loosely.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Colored zip ties are fine for identification purposes. Inexpensive too. However, you do have to regularly monitor the bird's growth if you are going to use them. I usually end up changing out ties four to five times until the birds are grown out and I always leave enough room for it to fit loosely.

X2 - this isn't a matter of needing to never use the ties as marking bands, but more a lesson in the importance of providing good regular attention to the birds - including checking things such as leg bands. ETA - I do understand this bird just came into your possession, and that you did not place the band...and that it was not tight when you got the bird, but seems to have become so due to swelling, but that can happen with anything used around the leg for ID purposes, not just zip ties.

 

[tridentk9]

Most of my avian experience has been with parrots where a closed metal band is preferred. Open leg bands are used when the bird is banded older than ~ 2weeks - the closed band no longer fits over the foot. Imported birds also have open bands, with a code for the quarantine station that proves the bird was brought in legally. Some states have regulations requiring bands on any birds brought into that state and sometimes just moved into another county . If you get a parrot with a band don't automatically remove it unless it causes a problem. It may be very difficult to prove that the bird was domestically born or legally imported and it can be confiscated.

It surprised me when I found out chickens aren't banded for live interstate transportation. But it makes things much easier.

 

[MsRiderUp]

Re bird banding and transportation, I imagine that it'd make 'mass chicken production' even more expensive to band every chicken! That's probably what it gets down to.

I intend to open-band my chickens for ID purposes only. Saw a YouTube on making your own, and apparently you can buy an 'embossing' kit with the letters/numbers from Harbor Freight for about $4. Just want to be able to tell all the birds of the same breed apart.

Would prefer to order blank open bands, but haven't looked into it enough. Only have 22 birds now, and probably will never have more than 50. Don't need the minimum order of 1000 bands that I've seen advertised.

Interesting observation though. Thanks!