When can I toe punch?

[havi]

My chicks are a week old right now and Im wondering if I can still toe punch them? At what age should it not be done any more?

 

[McCord6]

This might be a stupid question but...
What is Toe Punch?!

 

[NonnasBabies]

Please forgive the stupid question but what the heck is toe punch???

Thanks,
Missi

 

[NonnasBabies]

Hey, at least i'm not the only one who doesn't know!!!

Missi

 

[McCord6]

Quote:

If 2 of us say it at about the same time, I guess it aint a stupid question. LOL!

 

[SunnyDawn]

Man, just when I was thinking "What the bleep is toe punch?" I scroll down and...

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:

If 2 of us say it at about the same time, I guess it aint a stupid question. LOL!

I guess not!! I'm still trying to wait patiently for this answer!!

Missi

 

[denniselk]

Ok i give up

 

[denniselk]

They use it to mark chicks.
here a link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=143908

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
You don't cut off a toe.... You cut the web between the toes.

Now, Havi. You can probably still toe punch them, i have seen someone toe punch full grown chickens so they could tell them from the others that resembled them, it just bled a little more is all. It's best to do it as soon as they hatch, or a few days later but a week old shouldn't hurt. Personally i don't like the toe punches, more difficult and i just use cuts through the web. Toe punches can heal up or split, splitting is a bad thing since i use cuts which then can leave the bird ending up being marked just like another bird.

I just use small scissors you'd use for trimming your nose hair, just a quick snip through the web and all is over. It usually happens too fast for the chicks to really register it and if done early enough, rarely bleeds.