When to leg band them?

[KikiDeAnime]

Our 6 Crested Polish are 6 weeks old and I want to know when I can put the leg bands on.
I bought leg bands from Wilco and had gotten the size for their breed.
The leg bands are mostly so I can identify them because we have 2 of the GL and 2 of the BL. Our WC Blue and Black are getting leg bands just so they're not left out.

When should I put the leg bands on?

 

[Folly's place]

You can use temporary bands any time, as long as you are very very good at replacing them as the birds grow. For a more permanent band, wait until they are about full grown. I tend to put them on my spring chicks in late fall, or winter.
Wing bands, which I've never used, can go on young chicks, and aren't outgrown.
Mary

 

[DanEP]

You can use zip ties till they grow into the leg bands, their cheap and easy to replace as they grow.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

You can use zip ties till they grow into the leg bands, their cheap and easy to replace as they grow.

I am deathly afraid of zip ties so I won't be getting those

 

[Ridgerunner]

I am deathly afraid of zip ties so I won't be getting those

That's your choice. After using both zip ties and leg bands I prefer zip ties. You can adjust the size when you put them on and (for me) they are easier to put on and cut off.

The leg bands can go on when the band will not fall off over the claws. That is not a set age. Different chickens of the same breeds have different sized legs and feet and they grow at different rates. Males usually have thicker and heavier legs than females.

Don't get too comfortable with the "size for the breed". That's a general guideline, not a law of nature. The chicken's legs will continue to thicken up as they get older, even after a full year. You need to regularly check that they are loose enough, especially if you have any males. That's more of a risk for males than females but you still need to check.

 

[Folly's place]

Also, Twice I've had roosters who had the wide spiral plastic bands climb over their hock, causing real injuries. Watch them every day!
Zip ties do stay on better...
Mary

 

[aart]

I am deathly afraid of zip ties so I won't be getting those

Any leg bands can cause problems...the must be monitored always.

I prefer zip ties. You can adjust the size when you put them on and (for me) they are easier to put on and cut off.

Ditto Dat^^^

Here's how I use zipties:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/leg-banding-with-zipties.68075/

 

[KikiDeAnime]

So for those curious on why I am deathly afraid of zip ties. When I was a kid, I stupidly put a zip tie on my thumb and nearly had to have my thumb cut off because the zip tie was killing it. So I will NOT be touching zip ties.

 

[aart]

So for those curious on why I am deathly afraid of zip ties. When I was a kid, I stupidly put a zip tie on my thumb and nearly had to have my thumb cut off because the zip tie was killing it. So I will NOT be touching zip ties.

You're older now, and smarter..... get the right tools.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

You're older now, and smarter..... get the right tools.

I'll just wait until they're older and put on the ones I have