How to tell same breed individuals apart?

[Twizzler]

I have two red sex links, two whites, and two cream leg bars and I can’t tell them apart easily. I’m trying to look at feather patterns on the RSL and the leg bars but they’re very similar to each other. The whites I can only tell apart because one has a scraggly tail feather. When that goes I’ll have no way of telling. What are some ways, if any, I can tell my birds apart?

 

[diamondsilkies]

Whenever I have birds of the same breed, I just spend some time observing them. After a while, you begin to notice subtle differences (one has a bigger comb, shorter beak, bigger earlobes, different face shape, etc.). It's hard when they are chicks, since they change every day, but once they start to get a little bigger it becomes a little easier. That being said, I know for a fact that I am the only one that can tell all my chickens apart! So while these differences feel obvious to me, they are often much more subtle than I realize. Sometimes it takes a while for me to notice something different, but once I do, I can't unsee it.

If you're still having trouble, you can try putting different colored leg bands on them. Just make sure they're not picking at them too much.

Hope this helped a little. Good luck!

 

[Twizzler]

Whenever I have birds of the same breed, I just spend some time observing them. After a while, you begin to notice subtle differences (one has a bigger comb, shorter beak, bigger earlobes, different face shape, etc.). It's hard when they are chicks, since they change every day, but once they start to get a little bigger it becomes a little easier. That being said, I know for a fact that I am the only one that can tell all my chickens apart! So while these differences feel obvious to me, they are often much more subtle than I realize. Sometimes it takes a while for me to notice something different, but once I do, I can't unsee it.

If you're still having trouble, you can try putting different colored leg bands on them. Just make sure they're not picking at them too much.

Hope this helped a little. Good luck!

That makes me feel a little better. I can tell them apart personality wise, because I have one white and one legbar that are more skittish. But when it comes to looks? I flounder. Both of the RSL are very outgoing, so I have the most trouble with them lol. At least they’re sweet!

 

[aart]

4" zipties work for me.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/leg-banding-with-zipties.68075/

 

[Ridgerunner]

I use 7" zip ties on my adults. Pretty easy to spot unless they are in a nest laying an egg. I'll repeat one of Aart's warnings because I think it is very important. If you use any kind of leg band or zip tie you need to check them regularly. Their legs grow and those bands or ties do not stretch. You can wind up cutting their foot off.

Another method would be to use food dye. It will not hurt them. If you ask a hatchery to mark certain chicks they typically use food dye on their forehead if they are willing to do it. You will have to maintain this too. Chicks go through juvenile molts so you need to watch that. Not sure how long it lasts if the feather doesn't fall out from a molt, I'd think quite a while.

You could try fingernail polish on some claws. You'll have to maintain it and it won't help you if they are on a nest laying, but it should be obvious when they are walking around.

If you try any of these let us know how it works out.

 

[Twizzler]

Thanks for the tips guys! I think I’ll stay away from zip ties or bands. I’ve just seen how that sort of thing go terribly wrong and I’m a bit paranoid. I like the dye idea tho. I’d just have to mark 3 birds out of 7. Possibly even 2, because I think the Legbars will have different enough crests that I’ll be able to tell them apart.

Actually I have some of that spray that’s used to hide and disinfect wounds. Maybe a dab on the foot or tail tip would work