Tagging chicks

[Egglodge]

I want to tag my chicks due to hatch in 5 days, I wanted to buy baby leg bands but I can't find any online to ship to me, I have lots of loom bands 1.5-2cm do you think they will be ok to use wrapped around twice? or are there any other cheap suggestions or alternative things I can use from around the home?

 

[aart]

have lots of loom bands 1.5-2cm do you think they will be ok to use wrapped around twice?

Have no idea what a loom band is...OK googled it, not good idea, IMO.

4" zipties work for me.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/leg-banding-with-zipties.68075/

 

[Egglodge]

Thanks for the reply, I can get hold of zip ties in my Diy store, I just thought they look quite hard ( the plastic and is it not difficult to get that off? If by chance the zip tie got too tight looks like it would be a nightmare to remove.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

You will have to leave a little slack and remove it before it gets tight, don't forget...

 

[aart]

the plastic and is it not difficult to get that off? If by chance the zip tie got too tight looks like it would be a nightmare to remove.

Read the article linked, the right tools make it easy.
Cutting thru the lock with end cutters is the easiest.

You have to keep a very close eye on the bands,
like any leg band,
and change them out before they get too tight.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My wife is a weaver and has used many different types of looms and different techniques. I still had to look those up. Nope, not a good idea.

Yes read Aart's link. It shows good details. I'll repeat because it is important, check the bands regularly. Their legs grow and bands or zip ties do not stretch. I personally prefer 7" zip ties on adults since I can see those so much better (personal preference) but for chicks 4" would be best.

I don't know how many you are talking about or what information you are wanting to keep. You'll need to come up with your own system to track the info you want. I use the color on the left leg to track year of hatch and use various colors and combos on the right leg for individuals. Before it comes up I have used red zip ties with no problems. Some people worry about that.

Another option might be food coloring. You will need to maintain the dye as they shed down and grow feathers. They also go through juvenile molts. A green spot on the forehead is a different chick than one with a blue spot. A spot on the left wing, right side, or another body part can be part of your code.

Some people say they have used fingernail polish on their claws. Different colors on different toes create a code. I don't know how long it lasts, again you need maintenance as it wears off.

Some people use toe punching. Google that to learn the technique. They punch a hole in the webbing between their toes. Holes in different webbing creates your code. It's supposed to be permanent but you probably have to catch them to identify them.

I don't know what info you are wanting to keep or how many, but you have several options. All except toe punch requires maintenance.

 

[Egglodge]

So, I decided to go with the loom bands, it seems to work fine so far, none have fallen off and its week 2, I've added some pics the first pic is 1-day old 2nd pic 8 days old. The bands do stretch a lot so no chance of getting stuck on. I only hatched 20 chicks and there are many colours so worked fine so far . As the last person said loom bands don't stretch, perhaps its called something different is US i'm from UK

 

[Flockincrazy]

I want to tag my chicks due to hatch in 5 days, I wanted to buy baby leg bands but I can't find any online to ship to me, I have lots of loom bands 1.5-2cm do you think they will be ok to use wrapped around twice? or are there any other cheap suggestions or alternative things I can use from around the home?

Amazon and wish both have them