Leg Bands

[Weetamoo93]

I'm planning to use atlas seal aluminum leg bands on my poultry (currently only chickens) to keep track of them. What age can I or should I apply them? And does anyone know a good video or photo tutorial on application? I've hunted around a little and can only find "when the bird is full grown" as far as a "when", but I'm not certain what age that is. And I haven't found a video or photo tutorial on application, though I imagine it's pretty straight forward.

I already have zip wing bands on my current starter flock, but want an easier identification. Plus I figure it's good to have more than one form of ID. It was hard enough finding a good video for the zip bands! I'm planning on making my own on the next go round along with some nice clear photos.

 

[NatJ]

If you're trying to decide when a bird is full grown: egg-laying is usually a good sign for females

 

[Weetamoo93]

Thanks! I read 4 months from one source and a year from another.

 

[NatJ]

Thanks! I read 4 months from one source and a year from another.

Different breeds do mature at different rates, so that might be why the different numbers.

 

[mechanic57]

Different breeds do mature at different rates, so that might be why the different numbers.

What he said.

I have some meat birds that are 7 weeks old and are nearly as big or bigger than my 2 year old laying hens. Problem is, they are all the same color and one of my free ranging layers got in the pen with the meat birds while I was going in to top off the water and now I can't tell which one doesn't belong. Since the meat birds are still growing, I plan to put bands on the layers legs since they are done growing.

 

[NatJ]

I have some meat birds that are 7 weeks old and are nearly as big or bigger than my 2 year old laying hens. Problem is, they are all the same color and one of my free ranging layers got in the pen with the meat birds while I was going in to top off the water and now I can't tell which one doesn't belong.

If you're willing to handle each bird, you can probably find her by checking their vents. A laying hen has a vent that's large and stretched out and somewhat soft looking (because an egg goes through each day). A non-laying bird (young, or male, or broody hen, or molting hen) has a vent that's smaller and puckered up.

 

[Sonya9]

From what I have seen their legs can continue to get thicker and outgrow bands even when they are 4-5 years old so "full grown" doesn't mean the bands will last forever.

I say that because a while back I picked up a couple of four year old bantam hens. They had been show birds and had both spiral and numbered leg bands which were comfortable/loose. A couple of years later the bands were tight and needed to be cut off.

 

[mechanic57]

From what I have seen their legs can continue to get thicker and outgrow bands even when they are 4-5 years old so "full grown" doesn't mean the bands will last forever.

I say that because a while back I picked up a couple of four year old bantam hens. They had been show birds and had both spiral and numbered leg bands which were comfortable/loose. A couple of years later the bands were tight and needed to be cut off.

Good to know. I see there are metallic bands and plastic bands. Is there a significant advantage of one over the other?

 

[Sonya9]

Good to know. I see there are metallic bands and plastic bands. Is there a significant advantage of one over the other?

I honestly don't know as I have never used them (all of my birds look different and are easy to identify). Most I have done is used a magic marker to color code chicks.