Plastic leg bands or metal?

[CBee]

I'm about to place an order on www.randallburkey.com for leg bands for identifying my chickens, but was curious about the difference between plastic and metal types.

What kinds do you guys use, and what do you think should be better for the chickens? With the metal ones I would be afraid of them cutting themselves.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I have both. I use the size 9 plastic numbered bandettes for my silkies, size 7 for call ducks, and I use the adjustable metal bands size 9-13 for my brahmas, and silkies.

 

[Cara]

Metal. Metal. Metal. Metal. Metal.

Metal ones

I used the plastic kind, and a year or so later they're brittle and most of the birds have lost them. If you really need to know who's who, metal is the best bet without a doubt. They are smooth on the edges, but be sure to keep an eye on any leg bands, especially on growing birds.

 

[Teach97]

I also use both...I think the plastic are easier to read if there are numbers on them...I forget what sizes I use but have them on chickens, pigeons, quail

 

[Cara]

That's true, if you want to know who someone is before you try to catch them!

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

I use the plastic bandettes. Mine do a great deal of free ranging and this way I can see the number easily when they are moving about, which I use to take notes.

 

[GardenerGal]

I use plastic because I believe it doesn't conduct cold and heat as readily as does metal. In our cold New England winters and sunny summers, I like to avoid having bands that have even a slight risk of causing heat or frostbite burns on my birds. Maybe I'm paranoid, but what the heck.

The state poultry inspector uses metal bands when my flock is bloodtested, and they have never caused problems, but I have this "thing" about preferring plastic.

 

[gallo34]

have you ever thought of...using colored...zip ties?

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

The zip ties are hard to remove.

 

[Cara]

They're also hard to use to keep records, as there's only so many colours a person can buy.