Struggling to remove leg bands

[black_cat]

Hello all!
We have two bantam Cochin x bantam brahmas that came to us with zip tie leg bands. We are struggling to remove them- a pair of nail scissors fits under the band but makes almost no progress in cutting it, and we are not having any success with our kitchen scissors or wire cutters. The bands are not cutting into their legs but will be if they grow more, and I’m not experienced enough with this breed to know how much they will grow from now on. Any advice? We are trying to avoid the vet if possible as vets in our area are quite expensive. Thank you for any help!
Chicken pic for tax

 

[The Moonshiner]

Large nail clippers

 

[thecatumbrella]

Large nail clippers

I was typing something out, but this is a much better idea. Aim for the fat head where it zips together.

 

[NatJ]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/leg-banding-with-zipties.68075/
This article has pictures of tools that work well for cutting zip tie legbands.

Aim for the fat head where it zips together.

I agree. That usually works better than trying to slip anything between the band and the leg. Once you cut the fat part, the zip tie comes un-zipped and is pretty easy to get off the leg.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Also, these are beautiful birds! Do you know what color they're considered?

 

[Ridgerunner]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/leg-banding-with-zipties.68075/
This article has pictures of tools that work well for cutting zip tie legbands.

 

[black_cat]

I was typing something out, but this is a much better idea. Aim for the fat head where it zips together.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/leg-banding-with-zipties.68075/
This article has pictures of tools that work well for cutting zip tie legbands.


I agree. That usually works better than trying to slip anything between the band and the leg. Once you cut the fat part, the zip tie comes un-zipped and is pretty easy to get off the leg.

Large nail clippers

Thank you!! I will try this and report back. Cutting through the ring of the fat part is a good idea that we hadn’t thought of

 

[black_cat]

Also, these are beautiful birds! Do you know what color they're considered?

I do not! I think they’re light Brahma x white or splash Cochin but I’m not sure which on the Cochin side.

 

[black_cat]

I do not! I think they’re light Brahma x white or splash Cochin but I’m not sure which on the Cochin side.

Update: wheaten Cochin x light Brahma