Identifying my chickens

[ktownjeep]

I was curious what I could use to mark my chickens.
I thought about a magic marker but wasnt sure if it was healthy for my birds
Thanks

 

[Bailey]

We use zip ties with an eye as shackles for our crazy roosters. (We tie them out in the yard out of reach of each other)
Don't have issues with chaffing as they are loose- you could write or color code the bands with different colored paint sticks- or use little tags

Why do you want to mark the birds?

 

[ktownjeep]

I dont know why it matters but I thought it would be nice to tell them apart.
All my birds are white.
Thanks for the ideas.

 

[crazy4daisy]

I read in a book that you can use magic marker on the back of their neck - but MAKE SURE not to use RED. Chickens will instinctively pick at the color red - sometimes so much that a chicken will end up dying.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, you can use magic markers or sharpies to mark them. You can also get a tiny squirt bottle and squirt them with a solution of food coloring in water.

 

[bigzio]

It is really funny how we can identify all the birds in our flock..... spending way too much time with them, being able to see the difference in waddles, color, disposition, additude, talk, walk, etc... actually alot more fun than a litter of puppies, cause they can become older and still are alot of fun to watch.

bigzio

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

I had to mark my chicks, too, and they aren't all the same color!

I used fingernail polish (stayed away from red, as prev. poster said). It stayed on for a week or so. Also tried craft paint, which didn't work as well. I actually put the first dots on their heads. That worked great until very recently.. since they are losing their baby down. I have since switched to 'painting' a wing feather on each. It looks a little odd, but does make it easier to keep track of them (and to keep an eye on a specific bird if she starts to act funny).

I thought I'd have an easier time as they got older, but wow seems like they change EVERY day. For the last 2-3 days I could tell one chick apart from her twin by her 'necklace' of dark spots. Well.. noticed last night that her twin is getting them, too LOL! Personalities ARE different, but when you are talking about two chicks who are both fairly tame and friendly, but not overly so, and who both act the same in a group (probably bottom of pecking order, since neither one is pushy for treats AT ALL), then it gets downright impossible to tell. Thank goodness for colored dots!

-Meghan

 

[Critter Crazy]

you can buy leg bands in different colors.