When I first started out, I used a combination system which included colors for year and numbers to id the bird... After finding the leg bands scattered about the pasture, I moved on to color for year/breeder. After trying a half dozen different bands, I went with colored wire ties--but you have to leave it loose and cut the excess off clean with the clamp. If there's enough of an end there for a bird to get a hold of it, they'll pull it cutting off the circulation to the birds leg.
If you do decide to band, watch them closely. They should always be loose. So why do I band, well first to know which birds came from which roo/tom as next spring I'll mate all of my breeders to their uncle. Colors help me manage the breeding program as well as the age of the layer for productivity reasons.
Edited for spelling and format.
