Leg band rode up quail's leg? Should I be concerned?

[starly-imminent]

Hello, new quail keeper here! About 2 weeks ago, I purchased 8 adult Coturnix hens. In order to tell them apart from each other, I ordered some 8mm multicolored leg bands/rings (specifically these) which I put on them yesterday afternoon. It was an ordeal (several quails flew out of the enclosure and I had to track them down) but I got it done. The rings fit a bit loosely, but not so much that they slip past their feet.

Today, while collecting eggs, I noticed that 3 birds didn't seem to have their bands on anymore. I couldn't see any discarded rings on the floor. That's when one of my quails flapped her wings and I noticed a band high up on her leg, above her knee. I caught 2 of the quails that had this issue, and from what I can tell, the ring was still pretty loose - no signs that it was cutting off circulation, and was easily nudged back into place. Still, I'm worried this could end up hurting them somehow. Any advice?

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

I bought those but found them too big. I ended up buying rubber band types (size 2 for chicks and size 3 for adult) from Chicken Hill. They're great for stacking and are easily removable. The only challenge is stretching them out at the same time you try to put them around the foot.
https://www.chickencharm.co/chicklegbands

For price and durability though, colored 4" zip ties are still my favorite. You just need to check periodically to be sure it's not too tight.
https://amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8WV86X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BTW, welcome to BYC. Everyone here is so helpful -- I'm always asking for expert advice from others. Good to have you on board.

 

[starly-imminent]

I bought those but found them too big. I ended up buying rubber band types (size 2 for chicks and size 3 for adult) from Chicken Hill. They're great for stacking and are easily removable. The only challenge is stretching them out at the same time you try to put them around the foot.
https://www.chickencharm.co/chicklegbands

For price and durability though, colored 4" zip ties are still my favorite. You just need to check periodically to be sure it's not too tight.
https://amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8WV86X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you! I'll definitely check those out!

 

[vall]

No harm in it. One of mine insists on wearing the band above her knee so I gave up trying to pull it down.

 

[FloorCandy]

I bought those but found them too big. I ended up buying rubber band types (size 2 for chicks and size 3 for adult) from Chicken Hill. They're great for stacking and are easily removable. The only challenge is stretching them out at the same time you try to put them around the foot.
https://www.chickencharm.co/chicklegbands

For price and durability though, colored 4" zip ties are still my favorite. You just need to check periodically to be sure it's not too tight.
https://amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8WV86X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BTW, welcome to BYC. Everyone here is so helpful -- I'm always asking for expert advice from others. Good to have you on board.

I also use the chicken hill ones, I put the smallest on at a few days old and I’ve found that even as the bird grows they don’t cut off circulation. Eventually they wear after a few months and most need to be replaced. I sold several of my hens from last fall yesterday and I did notice some still had bands, no issues or anything.

As far as them getting away, I clip one wing on each bird when they move outdoors. You want a good short clip on just one wing. I find the young birds are really the only ones who try to escape and I don’t usually have to reclip.

 

[starly-imminent]

No harm in it. One of mine insists on wearing the band above her knee so I gave up trying to pull it down.

That's a relief, thanks for your input!

I also use the chicken hill ones, I put the smallest on at a few days old and I’ve found that even as the bird grows they don’t cut off circulation. Eventually they wear after a few months and most need to be replaced. I sold several of my hens from last fall yesterday and I did notice some still had bands, no issues or anything.

As far as them getting away, I clip one wing on each bird when they move outdoors. You want a good short clip on just one wing. I find the young birds are really the only ones who try to escape and I don’t usually have to reclip.

Noted. Good to know it happens less when they get older... would be scared to clean their pen if they tried to do this every time haha.

 

[FloorCandy]

That's a relief, thanks for your input!

Noted. Good to know it happens less when they get older... would be scared to clean their pen if they tried to do this every time haha.

Also, I bought a telescoping butterfly net. My neighbors have a nice, covered wooden deck that used to house an above ground pool, now it’s a circle with walls full of scrubby weeds. I lost a quail in there once and it was ridiculous, getting a ladder, people watching me, all that jazz. I immediately ordered a net. The jerk flopped over the side of the cage, and waddled for her life across the yards. Then squeezed in thru the side on the bottom.

 

[starly-imminent]

Also, I bought a telescoping butterfly net. My neighbors have a nice, covered wooden deck that used to house an above ground pool, now it’s a circle with walls full of scrubby weeds. I lost a quail in there once and it was ridiculous, getting a ladder, people watching me, all that jazz. I immediately ordered a net. The jerk flopped over the side of the cage, and waddled for her life across the yards. Then squeezed in thru the side on the bottom.

I've heard a butterfly net is a good idea, gonna order one now haha. One of my quails got under the deck and wouldn't come out, so I had to pry the boards off to get her... Luckily it was old and rotting and needed to get taken apart at some point anyway.