Leg bands

[enola]

Zip ties are in the auto department in Wal~Mart. Just ask some one. And after you buy them, you will see how they work. Really simple. Trust me.....

 

[roche477]

I think they are talking about cable ties. They can be found at Walmart or any hardware store. I use them for all kinds of things, never once thought to use them as leg bands!

 

[JanieMarie]

Thanks! I wouldn't have looked there! I think Wal Mart needs a chicken department!!

 

[chickenbike]

Quote:
Yes, that makes sense and that's how I originally planned to put them on. But then it looked like the diameter of the smallest rings would not push up and over the "ankle area". The next size up rings seemed the same way.

I should say that these are day old chicks. I am quite concerned about struggling with their tiny legs to put the leg rings on like you put key rings on a keychain. If they were older, it wouldn't seem to be such a tricky thing.

As for the zap straps, doesn't the bulky female end (which will have the trimmed piece as well) interfere when tiny day-olds lie down to sleep? Wouldn't it irritate their breast area?

 

[highcountrychickens]

If they're baby chicks still, perhaps you should wait a bit though - use fingernail polish on a toenail for a bit instead (not too bright... don't want to start picking)

 

[DANNY]

Toe punching is another option to mark birds.

 

[briteday]

We bought a package of colored hair rubber bands (just like regular rubber bands but much smaller) at Walmart in the hair dept. I've also seen similar multi-color small rubber bands in the office suppy stores.

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
With rubber bands, I'd be a bit worried about circulation problems. Also, how old should the chicks be before using the colored zip ties? At what point do their legs stop growing so that you don't have to worry about cutting off circulation?

 

[DANNY]

With zip ties and spiral bands you have to be real careful and change them every couple weeks or maybe more often to make sure you don't cut off the circulation. That's why i use a toe punch its permanent.

 

[chickenbike]

Quote:
I like this idea....I could pick up some first thing tomorrow. What would be a good colour choice? Black? Definitely not red!

DANNY: I've read the toe punch method in Storey's.....I just don't know that I could do that

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