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

[Aerliss]

Or should I be investing in some leg rings?

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I would suggest leg rings, if you haven't found any distinguishing characteristics between birds.

 

[Squishychicken]

I have a flock of 30 something (don't remeber fully) birds mixed flcok but have multiple birds of same breed. Eventually for me it may be diffrent for you but I can tell them apart from there faces. Yes they all have diffrent faces to me. Diffrent personalities diffrent faces I have no need for leg bands.

So its really up to you leg bands may be used or not. I use them in the beginning for new birds and then when there faces start to look diffrent to me i remove them

 

[MROO]

If you're not sure, go ahead and get the rings. You can always take them off, later. Better yet, get them tested and banded. For a small flock, it's not that expensive. We did ours through our local agricultural extension office. The testing includes a numbered leg band - useful for individual tracking and required for attendance at any poultry show, at least in Maryland.

 

[Aerliss]

I haven't got them yet, just prepping for their arrival. I've only been able to find leg rings in big packs, or with stupid shipping costs, and I'm only getting four chickens. And chicken maths can't affect me as I simply don't have room for more than four.

 

[chickencheeper]

I have a flock of five hens(and 4 chicks that are still in their brooder) and 3 of those five are barred rocks, we call them “the triplets”, but early on I could tell them apart, kinda, by their color ratio(I.e. one has more white than black…so on) but when they reached full adulthood we put some different colored zip ties on two of them

 

[chickencheeper]

I haven't got them yet, just prepping for their arrival. I've only been able to find leg rings in big packs, or with stupid shipping costs, and I'm only getting four chickens. And chicken maths can't affect me as I simply don't have room for more than four.

Little multicolored zip ties work well, just make sure you leave ONLY about a centimeter of extra(once the ziptie has been pulled through) and leave it loose but not to loose

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have a small flock of chickens and ducks. 3 of my chickens are Isa Browns. It took me a bit to distinguish them, but I can mostly tell them apart. Just look for something you can focus on that would be distinguishable (wattles, combs, darker, lighter, etc).
Two of my ducklings are very similar. I have to look at the spots they currently have on ther necks. But, they are muscovy so this is their juvenile look which will change once they have all of their adult feathers. If they look too similar, I am getting them hair bows.
Just kidding.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

If you have really good quality chickens then you should not be able to tell them apart. If you cannot tell them apart that is a testament to their quality. I have to Black Ameraucana pullets and I can only tell them apart by their faces.

 

[Aerliss]

If they look too similar, I am getting them hair bows.
Just kidding.

Do it. Just briefly. Get pictures. Try not to get bitten

If you have really good quality chickens then you should not be able to tell them apart. If you cannot tell them apart that is a testament to their quality. I have to Black Ameraucana pullets and I can only tell them apart by their faces.

They're ex-batts, so who knows!

Okay, sounds like I'll be struggling to tell them apart once they're fully feathered. I'd be worried about zip ties, so I'll just have to see if I can find a place that sells not too many, of different colours, with cheap shipping. Maybe just add some to an order for something else.

Thanks folks.