How to tell my 4 Black Australorps apart?

[bjdewell]

I have 4 Black Australorp hens, 4 months old. I want to name them, but they all look so much alike, I can't tell them apart. Has anyone solved this issue? Leg bands, special hen toenail polish? lol

 

[SilverBirds]

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.

 

[007Sean]

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!

 

[Percheron chick]

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

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

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

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[FortFusterCluck]

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

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Good luck with your flock!

 

[janiedoe]

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.

 

[Tookie]

Hi and welcome to BYC!