Dutchbunny, I have done bands of different types, and tried the ziptie version. They all have their plusses and minuses. I find bands out in the pastures and chicken houses all the time. I've switched to toe punching for the ones that really matter. And now my adults have NPIP bands, which helps, but they can't be read at a distance, and they aren't on babies anyway. The toe punching is working better. I got small elastics such as are used for braces, in multiple colors, to temporarily mark babies, though. I am currently only toe punching certain breeds.
What is toe punching?
I ordered a small amount of sexed pullets, then they told me about their special of straight run large fowl on discount they need to sell tomorrow.
Not knowing what breeds I'm getting of any, I definitely wanted a way to mark the ones that are sexed pullets then I can play the guessing game on the rest which I'll keep, which I'll eat, which extras I can sell off.
Thanks!