How to tell my 4 Black Australorps apart?

[bjdewell]

As they mature, they will develop different personalities, different body shapes, different carriage that will make them easily identified.

Oh, that's interesting! Thank you - I'd rather not put something around their legs, so I'll wait. They do have different sizes/colors combs and wattles, but they always move around so I can't get a good long look. I'll keep trying.

 

[bjdewell]

Hi! Welcome!

I use colored zip ties. There's a cheap pack on The Evil Empire (aka Amazon) that has a bunch of colors and sizes. We keep them loose and change them every 3-4 weeks

Hummm, I might try that until they get easier to tell apart. I had forgotten that there are very thin zip ties I could use, I was thinking of the zip ties that are wider and was afraid to use those. I'll check out Amazon.

 

[bjdewell]

I'd get leg bands or zip ties. Both work well but I'd go for the actual bands vs ties. You an get bands from your local feed store or online. If you get zip ties, make sure the birds are fully grown before putting them on. The biggest thing is making sure the ties are loose enough to not cut off circulation of the leg.

I really don't want to use leg bands or zip ties, but other responders mentioned zip ties and leg bands so maybe it would be okay. I wasn't sure how the hens would handle them, but I think I will check out my local Tractor Supply and see what they have. Honestly, that would be great.

Hello, welcome to BYC. I use a little food coloring, but not sure that'd work on black. I never use the red color, it might cause pecking.

My friend suggested that, too, but I don't think it would work on these girls. All black and no other colors, unless I put some on their beaks. But then they would probably peck each others' beaks! But thanks for the suggestion!

 

[bjdewell]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Leg bands would be the easiest way to tell them apart.

Thanks for joining our community!

Thank you! I think I'll check at Tractor Supply and get some leg bands if they have them in stock! Appreciate your answer!

 

[bjdewell]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Thank you! I've been reading questions and answers on this site for months, and have learned so much!

 

[bjdewell]

Hi and welcome to BYC!

Thanks, I'm happy to be here!

 

[bjdewell]

Hello, and welcome! Good luck with your flock!

Hi - thank you! So far so good!

 

[bjdewell]

Welcome to BYC! I usually use zip ties, just make sure they are not too tight.

Thanks for the welcome! I think I'm going to check Tractor Supply for the leg bands if they are easy to get on, or if that doesn't work, I'll get some small Zip Ties. That seems like what most people use?

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Look at their beaks. Though I have 3 Cochin Bantam hens that I can't tell apart so they have leg bands.

 

[bjdewell]

Look at their beaks. Though I have 3 Cochin Bantam hens that I can't tell apart so they have leg bands.

Yes, honestly that is the only place there's a difference, but two are similar, and the other two are similar so it's hard to spot the differences, especially if they are moving. I think using leg bands is going to be my solution. I'll check Tractor Supply tomorrow and see what they have in stock. Thanks for your answer!