Leg bands: should I use zip ties or elastic bands?

[grouse]

I need to tell my chicks apart (they're about 3 weeks old at this point) and i have both colored zip ties and colored elastic chick leg bands to use.

Here are the zip ties:
http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/14-46-cable-ties/assorted-color-cable-ties-625917.aspx

And here are the elastic leg bands:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Chick-Quail-Pheasant-leg-bands-6colors-hatching-eggs-/260645724481

I'm not sure which to use, though. I'm concerned that the elastic leg bands would be too tight, not leaving as much looseness as with the zip ties. But I'm concerned that the zip ties might accidentally get tightened by one of the chicks pecking at it, even with the loose end cut off. I'm also concerned about the zip ties because they're hard plastic that could cut into their legs when they lay down on them.
So which would be a better option to use, do you think?
I know either way to check on them daily to make sure they aren't too tight and to cut them free when they start to get that way.

(P.S. I've already tried marking their legs/feathers with nontoxic sharpies but almost all traces of it come off within a day. I've also tried using velcro strips but an hour after putting them on they were already off again.)

 

[DLS]

I have diferant colors of ZIP TIES that I bought off evil by . works good to me

 

[Ariel301]

I use zip ties.

 

[Camelot Farms]

zip ties here too.

 

[chicksbestfriend]

ZIP TIES! Have never tried the elastic leg bands, but the zip ties are inexpensive and do the job.

 

[Matt A NC]

I get colored zip ties at Dollar tree. The elastic bands would worry me.

If you are using bands on growing birds, then be sure to check them at least weekly.

Matt

Edited to add that I use multiple bands on birds using a color system. That is how I ended with a bird named "BYG" - Blue, yellow, green

 

[nuttyredhead]

I bought mine at Cutler Supply.

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_88&products_id=559

They went on very easy and after a few minutes the Chickens didn't care about them! They came in 9 colors.

 

[FarmGirl01]

I got the colored spiral leg bands from cutlers. Works great.

 

[gwill23]

Quote:
I am fairly new to all of this. Why exactly do you need to tell them apart for?

 

[Sportsterjeep]

Different people tell them apart for different reasons. Same breed but have different names, or belong to different kids(lessons the fighting of "no, that ones MINE"). Breeders use them for various reasons, not for sale, show potential, pet quality, price differences, sex, hatch week, pedigree, etc.