Leg band sizes for chicks

[Huntmaster]

I was using zip ties followed by spiral bands but then found a seller online here in Aus that sell some pretty cool expandable flat bands and clip bands. the flat coil can stay on the chicks for a few weeks, all you need to do it make sure they stay loose or you can up the size early to the clip bands and change as they grow. the photo is a modern game bantam with the smallest size, she wore that for about 3 or 4 weeks before it got too small and I needed to switch to the next size up
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I use flat coiled bands for my bigger older birds but have had them fall off need to be exact right size not too tight or too loose. Tried the Spiral bands and will never use them again. They have sharp ends that ended up digging into legs and causing injury will never put them on a bird again.

 

[GottaChicken452]

How long are you keeping them? It might be a lot easier to use food coloring to mark them. That's what some hatcheries do if they mark chicks before they ship them. They put a drop of food coloring on the forehead.

I don't know what color down or how many groups you are looking at but you have many options for marking them. Even just using one color a drop on the forehead, the right side, the left side, the small of the back, the forehead and right side, etc. gives you a lot of groups. If you keep them long enough for them to feather out you will have to remark them, keep an eye on that, but you don't have to worry about a band getting too tight as they grow so quickly. I'd think marking them would be quicker than banding them. It would be for me.

I like the idea of the chalk markers too. I do wonder about pecking. But I think I'll have them until the feather out so banding maybe the best option. I love how this site is so informative, different options but good conversation. Not too many to keep apart so it should be ok to watch them for growing too tight.

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Does anyone have pictures of the thin zip ties?