If I paint my chickens nails

[Purple Veg*n]

This thread has been a lot of fun to read! But I have a practical alternative. When my chicks were younger, we couldn't tell them apart. We used a cable tie to make a kind of bangle bracelet to put on their legs. The ones we put on in June are still there. You can see a pic of Mary Lou with her yellow one on my page: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=52059-the-chickies

HTH

 

[greenSearcher]

Quote:
I tried this. Marks come off two quick. Seems cucticle has to much wax or protein simply does not take paint well. Had slightly mark retention by painting scutes on legs.

How old are birds to be marked and how long is marke desired to last?

I want to mark the the older girls so I know who is who once this years chicks are mature. I also want to mark the EEs so I know who lays what. My 2 older EEs are nearly identical, one lays an aqua egg and one lays a light brown egg - the only difference is the muffs, on Sandy Blue, her muffs look brushed back, Sandy one the other hand go down her neck. It took me months to find this difference, and when they finish molting I suspect they will change. Then there will be at least 4 more EE girls when they move outside.

Not only do I want to mark the different 'generations', but use the marks to know who is laying among the Delawares, or any of the breeds, and whatever I want an indicator as the need arises.

I have tried the zip ties and the plastic almost stretchy hair ties and I find putting them on to be difficult. I figure with nail polish, I can get it on the leg, paint a band, rather than try to slip one over the kicking, wiggling foot. Some days my hands just don't want to work. If I didn't have a catch net I would never catch my chickens.

 

[Baralak]

But this thread has nothing too do about identification... But it is about Chicken Bling Stylin and Profilin!...

That was from my wife BTW!

 

[craftymama86]

Yall are too funny. DH and I got a good giggle out of this thread, lol.

 

[drumstick diva]

Well I used to paint a splotch of nail polish (many colors, used to trim poodles) on newborn puppies front foot so I could keep records on their weight gains, By the time it wore off, I could tell the puppies apart so would list then as( Blue ) Fluffy, etc. Of course the puppies never noticed and they didn't peck at certain colors.

 

[rebel-rousing-at-night]

My experience has only been house dogs.I think that the way my chickens scratch around and dig holes that it wouldn't stay on long.If your chickens are in a house only with deep fluffy shavings it would stay on longer.Give it a try but be sure to observe closely the reactions of the others.The worst would be that you would have to remove it with nail polish remover.

 

[annie3001]

Quote:
no way!!! too cute!!!!!

 

[featherbaby]

Do you know anyone who could put a little gold cap on the tip of their beaks? (Just kidding.....ya'll started it)

 

[Baralak]

Painted toe nails... And A GRILL!.. Now all they would need is some dreadlocks and some really cool platform shoes, and a big furry hat... Chicken Pimp Daddy, and his flock of pimped out pullets!