The easiest and best way to tell nearly identical chickens apart is to use the numbered bands that you can buy from somewhere like Cutler supply. They come in different colors/sizes, and in boxes of 25 or 50. You get to choose the number ranges. They come in plastic or metal.
The next best would be to use different colored leg bands. These are also available from suppliers. They are usually either plastic bands, spirals, or metal bands
Another way, as was previously mentioned, would be to use different colored zip-ties. Just be careful not to make them too tight.
Nail polish works, but wears off very quickly. So unless you are planning on chicken pedicures on a regular basis...........
I use a different color for each year's hatch, and numbers 0-50 for each year. This year's color was white. Next year's(2013) color is blue. I band the chicks when they are about 6 -8 weeks old (if their legs are big enough), and have also used colored zip ties when they were still growing. This means that you need to monitor their growth and replace the zip ties as they grow, so you don't injure their legs. This works out pretty well, as I can use different colors for different hatches or breeding pens. I have also used a highlighter pens (pink, blue, yellow, green) on my Dominiques' head spots to help differentiate between chicks, but that only works until they loose their head down........
The next best would be to use different colored leg bands. These are also available from suppliers. They are usually either plastic bands, spirals, or metal bands
Another way, as was previously mentioned, would be to use different colored zip-ties. Just be careful not to make them too tight.
Nail polish works, but wears off very quickly. So unless you are planning on chicken pedicures on a regular basis...........
I use a different color for each year's hatch, and numbers 0-50 for each year. This year's color was white. Next year's(2013) color is blue. I band the chicks when they are about 6 -8 weeks old (if their legs are big enough), and have also used colored zip ties when they were still growing. This means that you need to monitor their growth and replace the zip ties as they grow, so you don't injure their legs. This works out pretty well, as I can use different colors for different hatches or breeding pens. I have also used a highlighter pens (pink, blue, yellow, green) on my Dominiques' head spots to help differentiate between chicks, but that only works until they loose their head down........
