When can I put size 12 bands on my pullets? Update - got my answer!

[Kelly G]

I have some super chickens then! They are 9 weeks old today and wearing size 12 bands like the big girls...they have plenty of room to grow, but they're not falling off!

 

[cybercat]

Thanks Kelly for the info. I am getting my chicks in 7 days and want to band them for breeding purposes. I needed to know that answer also.

Mine are partridge rocks.

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
Well....size 12 is the perfect size for the Rocks. They fit my 10 month old Rocks perfectly (they are done growing)....and they seem to stay on my 9 week olds just fine! All were still banded when I put them to "bed" tonight.

I'm so glad this info helped you! That's why I went ahead and updated the thread

Plus, next time I'll probably forget - again!

 

[Kelly G]

Just some additional info - on the off chance that it may be helpful to someone...

I have several different breeds and varieties, and I want to be able to identify individuals - I can tell each of the breeds at a glance (for example, I can tell the Colubian Wyandottes from the White Rocks from the Silver Laced Wyandottes, etc) but it can be difficult to tell the four White Rocks apart as individuals.

I have poor vision, so the numbered bands are pretty useless to me - but I can see color pretty well, so I went with the colored, spiral bands. It went something like this:


Columbian Wyandodttes - Red, White, Green, Yellow
Buff Wyandottes - Red, White, Green
Silver Laced Wyandottes Red, White
Gold Laced Wyandottes Red, White
Buff Orpingtons Purple, Orange
Americaunas - Purple, Orange
White Rocks - Black, Pink, Blue, Lime
Rhode Island Reds One color of each (there were 12 colors to choose from)

Now, I can tell my birds apart as individuals