What do you use to tell your chickens apart?

[McChooky]

Hi!
I bought these little different colored rubber band type things to use for my 5 wk old pullets. But I noticed they peck at them... their own and the other girls too. So my question is, what do you use, if anything? And will they eventually stop pecking at each others legs? I dont want them to injure each other. For now I took them off.
Thanks!

Saddles help if you order all different colors.

 

[Unswydd]

My 8week old Barred Rock look identical so I can't tell who is who. I have a couple that are friendly but the others are still flighty. Time will tell I guess. I did buy the different colored zip ties with the charms but still a bit nervous to use them.

 

[Sara S]

My 8week old Barred Rock look identical so I can't tell who is who. I have a couple that are friendly but the others are still flighty. Time will tell I guess. I did buy the different colored zip ties with the charms but still a bit nervous to use them.

I had 2 RSLs like that… maybe try the charms. i look for the tiniest differences, like eye colors. I’m assuming you have more than 2 do it might be harder. Good luck and they sound adorable!

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

it might work with OP's Barred Rocks, too. The food coloring could show on the white barring, even though it won't show on the black.

Just dont use red....my hatchery used red and one of the poor chicks kept getting picked on till I washed it off

 

[aart]

I did buy the different colored zip ties with the charms but still a bit nervous to use them.

Don't use the charms....just adds a risk of irritation.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I just bought this pack of zip ties off amazon. I am trying to ID by year they were born, not individual bird, so this pack of 10x six diff colors seemed perfect.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQX1RSN?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[jwsmith1959]

I started with 6 Production Reds all from the same hatching. They were about 17 weeks old when I got them last March. I lost one about 3 weeks in, but kept the original five for several months after. I had a devil of a time telling them apart. I am back up to five - 4 PR and one RIR. I agree that the more you are around them, you will eventually get to know them by subtleness and personality.

 

[McChooky]

My 8week old Barred Rock look identical so I can't tell who is who. I have a couple that are friendly but the others are still flighty. Time will tell I guess. I did buy the different colored zip ties with the charms but still a bit nervous to use them.

I haven't broke down and put leg bands on my flock of barred hens yet but I've seriously considered it. The only one I've named so far has a single comb (the other have rose combs) If it bothers you not being able to tell them apart use plain leg bands the correct size .I don't recommend you buy any with charms, they can make others pick at their legs.

 

[NatJ]

my flock of barred hens... The only one I've named so far has a single comb (the other have rose combs)

I think you have mostly Dominiques, not Barred Rocks.

The main difference between the two breeds is the comb type:
Barred Rocks have single combs and Dominques have rose combs.

Dominique parents can produce an occasional chick with a single comb, but two Barred Rock parents will never produce a chick with a rose comb. So the single-comb one might come from either breed.

 

[McChooky]

Silicone zip ties are softer.