Leg bands???

[Mary Galbraith]

I was looking at leg bands for when the chicks hatch I use the bands for identification purposes. Them i got thinking most chick bands you throw away after use. So I was wondering if small zip ties would work would work instead of chick bands??? Seeing zip ties are super cheap.

 

[The Phantom]

I would worry incase one of the zip tightened up on its leg.

 

[Gray Farms]

If you use zip ties you'll have to change them out often. As chicks grow quickly and the zip ties will get to tight. I personally use elastic chick bands the will stretch with the chicks growth and only have to be changed maybe once as they are growing. And the can be reused when the chicks out grow them.

 

[m1chelle1]

If you use zip ties you'll have to change them out often. As chicks grow quickly and the zip ties will get to tight. I personally use elastic chick bands the will stretch with the chicks growth and only have to be changed maybe once as they are growing. And the can be reused when the chicks out grow them.

Agreed. I would be wary of zip ties. Don't want to hurt their little ankles. Especially since youre taking the time to ID your chickens, I would think they are more "pets" for you, vice livestock. So might want to go with an alternative solution

 

[Duck Hill]

I have had good luck with zip ties on ducklings. I waited till they were two or three weeks old. Then I looked at an adult leg and put on the zip tie loose enough to easily fit an adult leg. I kept a close eye but the zip ties were fine as they grew. A couple lost the zip tie but within a few days they had grown enough to not lose it. Tip: If you put zip-ties on young birds, do not wait till the zip tie is tight or it is hard to remove. Cut it off and replace it with a larger tie while the tip of the scissors still fits in there!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

We have used micro zip ties for years. They get clipped on the slack end when installed. They cannot tighten themselves tighter.... but if applied @ an early age, you must replace them as per growth of the bird.
We are breeders. We use assorted colors and combinations to identify age, health, sale/no sale.. etc. Harbor freight has mega packs of assorted colors.

In this particular photograph, red is coded on this Buff Roo. We breed Buffs. We have 3... Red band, Blue Band & green band. Makes it easier to swap out the big boys during breeding season.
I recommend zippy ties if they are micro.. not giant.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Wing band are a much safer option, they are permanent, they only have to be applied once. You can use them on day old chicks, they identify individual chickens, they last for the life of the bird, and they don't fall off.

 

[Abriana]

I agree with the above poster. Wing bands are much safer. Zip ties may tighten in their own, eventually causing lameness and can cut off the leg circulation. Leg bands must be checked often because they can ride up on the leg and cause extreme pain and lameness and often it is noticed too late.

 

[lazy gardener]

For the small back yard flock, zip ties work well. I buy a pack of multi colored 4" ties for $1.28 at Walmart! Like anything else, you must use common sense, and do it correctly. I use small pointed nippers to clip the ends, and also to clip the zips when it's time to change up to a larger size. You can clip the tie off simply by clipping through the fastening area, that way, no risk of pinching the bird's leg. The chicks grow so fast that they initially have to be changed after the first or second week, then with decreasing frequency until they are about 5 months old. And no. They can't tighten up on their own. The end is clipped off flush with the little square hole that secures the tie.

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Cutting-Spring-Diagonal-Nippers/dp/B00NPZF0IO

I have never had issue with a zip riding up on a bird's leg, getting too tight or otherwise causing any kind of injury. If the owner uses common sense and monitors their birds there should not be an issue.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

For the small back yard flock, zip ties work well. I buy a pack of multi colored 4" ties for $1.28 at Walmart! Like anything else, you must use common sense, and do it correctly. I use small pointed nippers to clip the ends, and also to clip the zips when it's time to change up to a larger size. You can clip the tie off simply by clipping through the fastening area, that way, no risk of pinching the bird's leg. The chicks grow so fast that they initially have to be changed after the first or second week, then with decreasing frequency until they are about 5 months old. And no. They can't tighten up on their own. The end is clipped off flush with the little square hole that secures the tie.

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Cutting-Spring-Diagonal-Nippers/dp/B00NPZF0IO

I have never had issue with a zip riding up on a bird's leg, getting too tight or otherwise causing any kind of injury. If the owner uses common sense and monitors their birds there should not be an issue.

Almost 18 yrs of using them and not one negative incident. I have over 150 birds (was 300 last Nov.) in my care and no probs. I could not accurately log and manage my multi houses w/out them. Only prob I have is the Sun aging the cheap China plastic. That's alright though. A pack of 500 more is only $5.


BTW.. when I sell birds. I clip off the bands.