Hello all, I will have several mixed breeds of chickens hatching. All from an Americana rooster but the hens are RIR, red sex link, and white leghorn. I was wanting some way of identifying the chicks as I am assuming they will all look the same when hatched. What do you guys use to identify chicks right after hatch? I have seen where people use different colored zip ties. Is this a good option? I was afraid the zip tie would get too tight somehow and the chick would be injured. Do they stay in place and not over tighten well? Do you have other suggestions? Thanks Meagan
You leave the zip tie loose, but not loose enough to slip over the foot. Check it as they grow and replace when it gets snug. Alternatively, I have seen people use colored grooming bands and orthodontic bands. I think they also have specific bands for chicks if you google.
Last year I hatched out chicks from my RIR's, red sex links and black sex links by an Americana rooster. At hatch I didn't know which was which but once they feathered out I knew exactly which chicks went to which hens. Americana/RIR came out a nice dark brown/red with white and blue feathers mixed in. Americana/RSL came out mostly white with brown and red flecked feathers. And the Americana/BSL came out solid black. As far as zip ties I never had any luck with those they always fell off the chicks. I do know you can buy leg bands cheap at co op but I don't remember what sizes they had
Thank you. I am wanting to keep up with who is who before they get that old. Depending on how many hatch, we won't be keeping all of them. We might try the zip ties if I feel like they won't tighten down too much. I did see the chicken bands at our local TSC but I think they were too big for chicks. Thanks
