What size leg bands?

[Hottchick]

I would like to buy some leg bands of different colors to identify my girls. I only have 7 but would like to be able to easily identify who is who. They are 2 1/2 weeks old right now. What size band would be appropriate for them? I know they would have to be changed frequently as they are growing so fast. But which to start with now?

Oh, and any guess as to what breed they may be? I'm clueless as they came from a Tractor Supply store. Their picture is my avatar. 4 black and 3 yellow.

 

[Kedreeva]

I would say probably someplace 4 and 5 for sizes.

Here is the size chart at cutler supply: http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=page&id=5&zenid=8opnbu96l5sh006en70rcge5l5

I bought size 6 bands for my 2 week old peachicks, and they are quite large babies. They are 5 weeks today and they are currently wearing size 9, but the size 9 are loose for growing room. They will eventually be in size 12, which is much too large for chickens.

 

[turtlebird]

I am not clear on this either....
I ordered 11's for my orp, white rocks, australorps.....
well, it wasn't long and the band was up hidden in the feathers....that couldn't have been comfortable. Glad I caught it.
So this time I bought sz 9.....well, they seem FAR TOO SMALL.....
Are leg bands supposed to be loose? Or snug?
I have the ones that are sort of spiral and wrap around. Anyone like anything else better?

 

[Kedreeva]

I have got the spiral plastic ones as well, and so far they haven't been an issue with being too large or too small. They are loose on my peachicks, but one of our hens came with a black spiral band that fits 'snugly' I would say. It's not tight by any means, it rotates cleanly and I can see little bits of space between the band and the leg, but it can't move up past the 'knuckle' of the leg. I think that is how they are supposed to fit.