Leg bands?

[ChristineR]

How do you keep track of your quail? I was thinking of using those little spiral plastic bands, but not sure that's the best way. Thoughts?

 

[The Phantom]

I don’t use anything for my quail but for my swans I microchip them and use metal leg bands

 

[ChristineR]

I need something practical to visually distinguish them. How do you keep track of them and split them up for breeding? I've always been able to tell the difference between my waterfowl, but quail are another story.

 

[le_bwah]

I need something practical to visually distinguish them. How do you keep track of them and split them up for breeding? I've always been able to tell the difference between my waterfowl, but quail are another story.

For large, single-color flocks I've seen people cinch tiny, colored cable ties around the leg and snip the free end flush against the lock. You have to leave enough room that the tie won't dig into their leg as they move, and change them out for different "sizes" as they grow.

 

[Fishkeeper]

You might look into pigeon bands. I know people will put bands on pigeons, and I haven't exactly held the two next to each other to compare, but I think the legs are about the same size.

 

[ChristineR]

You might look into pigeon bands. I know people will put bands on pigeons, and I haven't exactly held the two next to each other to compare, but I think the legs are about the same size.

Do these need to be put on when they're babies? I need something for the adults.

 

[Gray Farms]

The plastic spiral bands work good, small cable/zip tie work as well. I use zip ties, they are cheaper. Band on left leg indicates year they were born, band on right leg indicates sex.

For instance a left orange and right pink is a 2017 girl.