If you have a very small flock, can you tell birds of the same breed apart?

[aart]

It’s like a key ring but more flexible. The ends can be pointy

Thanks.
How flexible they are and those pointy ends are two things that concerned me,
wish I could touch one..haha!
I'll stick with the zipties, easy to do without another set of hands around.

 

[MROO]

Call your ag extension office - or the equivalent in your area. You could contact whatever office coordinates 4H in your area, too. They would know where to go. Fair season is coming up - someone will be doing testing. It cost us all of $1.00 a bird. When we go NPIP, which will be this fall, it will cost the same, but we'll have to pay the $15.00 shipping cost - that's do-able - and gives the added protection of certification. Works for me!
And as ex-batts, it may not even be an issue. Some of them feather in with scar-marked coloring. You may be okay, after all!
You're a gem for giving those ladies a new lease on life! Blessings and Kudos to you!!!!!

 

[EggWalrus]

TSC has packs of 20 for about $4. I think they are "Happy Hens" brand. They come in 3 or 4 sizes from small to XL. Easy to put on and take off. Only draw back is they will sometimes fall off is the bird is rough on them. They just click lock. I've only had about 4 come off out of maybe 100 that I have used. With no more birds than you're getting, you should be able to tell them apart by sight within a week. Good luck and much chicken joy to you!

 

[Aerliss]

Gotta admit, some of the American went over my head there. I'm not planning on breeding, at least not unless Brexit totally ruins our food production, so the extra stuff isn't an issue. They'll have been vaccinated, and vetted before I get them. I'll just get some rings and if I find I don't need them I'm sure I'll come up with some alternative use for them.

 

[deepbluesea]

Since you're getting four and you plan to spend lots of time with them, you'll have no trouble knowing them individually. The difference in personalities alone will do it. And good on you for taking ex-battery hens! Very compassionate. They'll be so happy.

 

[MROO]

Sorry about that! I didn't realize you were across the pond until after I'd posted! I'm no expert, but hopefully I can clear up some of the confusing "Ameri-Speak!" (;>)=

4H is a youth organization - along the lines of Scouting, but with no military hint at all. It's geared towards young people (8-18) who want to learn more about agriculture and home arts - everything from apiaries to canning to livestock to sewing to ... you name it, there's an opportunity to learn about it, practice it and possibly compete in it. The 4 H's stand for "Head, Health, Heart and Hands," all of which the 4H youth strive to develop and use for the betterment of their world. It's pretty cool!

The Agricultural (Ag) Extension Service is the office that handles 4H. It's technically a government agency, but it's overseen and administered by the major universities. One of the major benefits we get from the Ag Extension Office is low-cost avian testing. This is really oversimplified, but in a nutshell (eggshell?) this is the gist of it ... At the request of the owners, the Ag Extension Service tests a flock for major illnesses, like salmonella and avian influenza. Once a flock tests "clean" for a certain term, there is an inspection of the facilities. Then, as long as the owner continues to maintain the twice-yearly testing schedule, they can apply for National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) certification.

Current certification allows the safe transfer (sale/gift/swap) of birds. it also gives buyers some confidence that they are getting healthy birds that will not make their own flock sick - or worse, spread things like Avian flu to new areas.

I hope that helps - and again, I apologize for jumping in without clarifying, first!
Good luck with your new girls!

ps - Oh, and TSC is our goto farm supply store. It stands for Tractor Supply Company. If you can't find your rings, try their website - www.tractorsupply.com.