Opinion question about leg bands

[Swivelhip]

I would never use those spiral leg bands as they have sharp ends and end up imbedding in leg.

Agreed, I used a pair of side cutters to remove the spiral leg band once. eBay, amazon both sell larger size bands. I use the big thick ones now that have to be snapped closed with a pair of pliers. I always put them on the right leg. Some of the chickens have two on one leg because of the color limitations. Makes it easy to name them. Double purple is our favorite chicken…

 

[RememberTheWay]

I took the leg bands off. Marker lasted less than a day. I'll have to think about this for the next group, but two of the three look like they're pullets and the other is visually distinct. I think I can keep these three straight.

Yeah I have tried to use marker and it doesn't last unfortunately. I think using zip ties would probably be your best bet. Maybe?

 

[Draconic]

I recognize that this post is rather old, but, for future reference, I suggest using multi-purpose ties! Scissors and regular nail clippers are a no-no for removing them, but, you can buy a dog nail clipper and use that to cut off the extra length, and, the band itself when the chicks start to outgrow them. You don't need a steady hand to use them, I personally aim for the big thing the tie goes through to tighten, because my hands are super shakey ^^' gets em right off though! It's helped me tremendously, you just have to make sure they're little toes don't get in the way before you cut it, which is simple enough, just rotate the band until the big bit is at the back of their leg

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I use zip ties as leg bands, you can easily apply new ones as the chick grows and adjust the size to fit the chick's leg. Do not use hole-punching in the toe webbing, that causes unnecessary harm to the chicken, and therefore I consider it a type of abuse. It also prevents them from foraging as well as a chicken with normal foot webbing because they cannot kick up as much dirt which parts of the web missing. There are so many other ways you can mark chicks that do not include cutting a part of their body off. I also do not recommend putting color on the chicken's feet or painting their toenails－this can give the other flock members something to peck on and may cause injury if they persist. The worst color to put on them would be red. Chickens are attracted to red because that is the color of blood, so they are more prone to pecking on chicks with red paint on them than any other color.

 

[NatJ]

I also do not recommend putting color on the chicken's feet or painting their toenails－this can give the other flock members something to peck on and may cause injury if they persist. The worst color to put on them would be red. Chickens are attracted to red because that is the color of blood, so they are more prone to pecking on chicks with red paint on them than any other color.

Have you tested this?

I have never had trouble with chicks pecking at colored bands on the legs of other chicks. I can't see why colored toenails would be any different, but I haven't tested that to be sure. And yes, I have used red legbands as well as other colors, and the red ones did not cause any extra pecking.

 

[MamaPoult]

I read that you can paint a toe nail.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Have you tested this?

I have never had trouble with chicks pecking at colored bands on the legs of other chicks. I can't see why colored toenails would be any different, but I haven't tested that to be sure. And yes, I have used red legbands as well as other colors, and the red ones did not cause any extra pecking.

Yes, I have tested this. And all the chicks were pecking at each other. Not a good deal. They peck at each other when they have leg bands on but soon forget about it once they figure out it is not something to eat. I assume a colored dot on a chick's toes looks a lot like something to eat rather than a leg band.

 

[NatJ]

Yes, I have tested this. And all the chicks were pecking at each other. Not a good deal. They peck at each other when they have leg bands on but soon forget about it once they figure out it is not something to eat. I assume a colored dot on a chick's toes looks a lot like something to eat rather than a leg band.

That is definitely interesting. I would not have expected that toenails would be different than legbands, but apparently I chickens do not think the way I do!

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

That is definitely interesting. I would not have expected that toenails would be different than legbands, but apparently I chickens do not think the way I do!

I guess in a chicken's mind:

• Leg bands = something wrapped around a chicken's leg, does not really look like food, does not taste like food either
• Dot of color = a dot on a chicken's leg, looks like a bug or something, tastes like something to eat because when they peck it they are eating a part of the chick's leg scales

 

[TJAnonymous]

I bought a rainbow pack of small zip ties off Amazon a few years ago. I used the different color or mix of colors to identify my chicks. They are adjustable, cheap, and easy to use. I also have large poultry bands for adult birds but the colored zip ties are by far the easiest and cheapest solution for marking chicks.