Marking/Identifing Chickens That Look Alike

[chicmom]

Aww, what cute little boys! And pretty chickens too.

 

[nuttyredhead]

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_88&zenid=d5u4kq27raa0308f73i8bnaei0

I use these plastic spiral bands, work great! Fast shipping too!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Either zip ties or the spiral bands work fine. I've used both. I want to emphasize watching them to keep them from getting too tight, whichever ones you use. Yours should not grow a whole lot more but they will some. Depending on how tight they are initially, you may or may not need to replace them.

Cutler Supply has a chart on their site that gives which size spiral bands for which breeds. These sizes are for hens, not roosters. Rooster's legs are much bigger. I don't know how much larger you need to get the spiral bands for roosters, but I know they have to be bigger.

When choosing which colors to use, whether zip ties or bands, the darker colors show up a lot better on the legs that are lighter colored and the light colors show up better on those dark legs.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

How were the wings on the wyanettes colored? Is it safe? Permanent until molt? Reccomendations for darker poultry???I have 13 Cockerels with dark plummage.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
I used a non-toxic, artist grade marker. Most of the colors stayed for a year until molt. ( And it rains a LOT out here) How dark are we talking? For blue or black birds I'd recommend only using colored zip-ties. If your cockerels have any section of a lighter color (example - Duckwings have white secondaries) then color that area. But Wheaten, Blue, and Black cockerels I don't think you can mark.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

ill post a picture and take suggestions from the class

Still looking for the right combination of daylight and camera at hand. Stand by for a note from our sponsor...

 

[tcanepa]

So, i waited too long to put bands on my chickens for marking, (only have four girls), now when i tried to they all pick them off. Now that they are feathered its easier to mark them. So i used hair dye. Marked them four different ways with brown hair dye and they arent attracted to the color so they dont pick at it. Plus its safe and wont hurt them and it looks nice. Another option for marking chickens.

 

[kara_leigh]

I use colored zip ties, and out of 21 chickens that I use them on, only one of my older pullets has manged to get it off. I use the smallest zip ties they have in those multi packs, and I put them on just tight enough that they won't fall off so there is plenty of room for growth.

 

[chickendales]

i love zipe ties and they come all colors i even got hot pink and purple