putting on leg bands?

[hensonly]

Hey, y'all, simple question (I hope!) How do you put on leg bands? Do I need a special tool? I jus tneed to be able to tell my roos apart... I have 26 straight run dual purpose birds, and I plan to keep one roo (and the pullets, of course!). I have an assortment of colors, but some are duplicates, and since they're still quite young, their feathers are changing from week to week. What kind of bands do you all use? I'm thinking different colors so I can tell who is who without having to catch the bird... suggestions?

 

[AnnainMD]

I used zipties to tell my Welsummers apart. I made sure to put it on a bit loose and I check them frequently to make sure they are not too tight. Not too loose that it would travel over their foot and not tight, it needs to move a bit.

 

[mulewagon]

Whichever you use, like Annain said, check it frequently. Then cut it off as soon as you don't need it any more! My best rooster grew unexpectedly big, and the spiral band dug into his leg. I'm afraid he's crippled for life, now.