Opinion question about leg bands

[RememberTheWay]

I'm sorry but this isn't true. You aren't removing part of the bird. You are putting a small hole in the webbing, similar to the holes humans put in their ears for earings, just without the earing. The bird is able to forage just fine as they still have webbing between the toes and the hole is so small it doesn't affect their digging. Also chickens don't use the webbing to dig, they use their toes.

Actually it is very much true.

And no they don't use webbing to dig but it absolutely holds their foot and toes together and stress is put on the webbing when they use their claws.

Anyways.... Here is some reading. I've spoken To many seasoned breeders (20+ yrs ) and witnessed the process myself. It is not an ear piercing. Maybe a wing band could be described that way although a wing band is much larger then an earring. There is a piece of flesh that is removed, no different then ear punches for mice. If it isn't removed it will grow bach together and heal you would never know the chick was even toe punched. If it was an ear piercing you wouldnt be able to ID them.

Fun fact- our human ear piercings would grow back together and heal completely if we didn't leave stud earrings in the hole created bc we don't really punch out a piece of flesh we pierce the flesh with a needle. And then leave a metal rod In the hole while the skin heals so it doesn't close up. And yrs later people's ears still grow back up if they leave earrings out for long periods of time. I don't see anyone putting studs in their chicks toes while they heal

I do not use toe punches, but if someone does that's their business. Personally I like wing bands.

https://themodernhomestead.us/poultry/breeding/flock-identification/

 

[Welsummer42]

Actually it is very much true.

And no they don't use webbing to dig but it absolutely holds their foot and toes together and stress is put on the webbing when they use their claws.

Anyways.... Here is some reading. I've spoken To many seasoned breeders (20+ yrs ) and witnessed the process myself. It is not an ear piercing. Maybe a wing band could be described that way although a wing band is much larger then an earring. There is a piece of flesh that is removed, no different then ear punches for mice. If it isn't removed it will grow bach together and heal you would never know the chick was even toe punched. If it was an ear piercing you wouldnt be able to ID them.

Fun fact- our human ear piercings would grow back together and heal completely if we didn't leave stud earrings in the hole created bc we don't really punch out a piece of flesh we pierce the flesh with a needle. And then leave a metal rod In the hole while the skin heals so it doesn't close up. And yrs later people's ears still grow back up if they leave earrings out for long periods of time. I don't see anyone putting studs in their chicks toes while they heal

I do not use toe punches, but if someone does that's their business. Personally I like wing bands.

https://themodernhomestead.us/poultry/breeding/flock-identification/

Everyone is intitled to do what they want and can make their own decisions for their flock. As someone who has birds who have been toe punched, before I got them, they have no issue from it. They don't have more stress on their claws. Would it affect a duck, probably, but not a chicken.

Again everyone can do what they want, but please don't spread misinformation. You can totally take the ethical stance against it from a not wanting to cause pain, but the long term effect are none.