Silkies / leg bands

[SunshineSilkies]

Quote:
What age do you stick those permanent bands on, and what are they made out of, metal, plastic?

I start trying when they are about 6 weeks old. You just have to keep trying until they stay on. If they fall off, I wait another few days and try again. You can order them from the ABA website....$.33 each and well worth it to me. Up to that point, I use baby rubberbands to mark them or markers like you do.

I order alot of my bandettes from Foye's Pigeon Supplies...cheapest that I have found for the plastic numbered ones with shipping. I have never tried the wing bands, though I may in the future.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

okay...I'm a bit confused...
I thought you meant you marked the chicks back with permanent marker---and thats what I was wondering if the other chicks picked at, and how long the marking lasted.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Yup. Once the chicks hatch, I mark down their back with permanent marker. The other chicks never pick at it, I have never had a problem with picking. It lasts until they lose their down.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I bought these for the chicks as they hatch. I use a different color for each "set" of eggs...either ours or ones that I've purchased from others. They are loose when they are first hatched and will get a bit snugger but they expand as they grow.

Then, when I decide which ones I'm keeping I put a permanent numbered bandette on them like this:

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Oldtimegator--the first bands illustrated--what are they called and where did you buy them?

Thanks

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I got them off Ebay. Here is the link:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...44776&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_4791wt_1165

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Thanks so much oldtimegator.....my order is being shipped now

 

[SilkieTime]

Can I ask where do you get the # ones?

 

[kimb]

I haven't used them yet - but I was thinking of using children's bandaids when mine hatch the end of the month... ... anyone tried this?


this size: (easy to replace and I can write whatever I want on it) ...
http://www.activeforever.com/p-1338...rth-safety-38-x-1-12-plastic-adhesive-bandage

The possibilities are endless - colored/printed/clear/waterproof...

 

[ultasol]

A poultry judge told me to use spraypaint or marker to mark chicks. The bands are risky- you forget to change them at a critical point and they can grow into the legs. He said this occurs even with the ones that are supposed to expand as they grow.

I used permanent marker to mark a couple of chicks I picked from Marjorie Best this weekend. On the blacks I think I will have to use spraypaint (blech) or a paint marker in a light color.