Where should leg band go on a chicken with spurs?

[Eliza1313]

I have several young cockerels that I have zip tie bands on. I am considering either adding or switching to metal bands once they are full grown. At this point they are just starting to grow their spurs, hatched March 25th. Have Barred Hollands and Egyptian Fayoumis, plus Cubalayas but they should not grow spurs. I do not want to injure them do to my ignorance.

Once spurs have grown in should the band be placed above or below the spur? and why?

Thanks

 

[Twistedfeather]

When working with plastic bandettes (plastic bands with numbers on them) I'm sure you can do it any way you want to but when the spur grows it holds the band in place and there's less of a chance of them falling off. As a golden rule with bands make sure they're not too loose because you'll lose them or that they're too tight because you cause problems for the bird. I would still band the Cubalaya's spurs or not because it's a better way to identify birds.

 

[Eliza1313]

When working with plastic bandettes (plastic bands with numbers on them) I'm sure you can do it any way you want to but when the spur grows it holds the band in place and there's less of a chance of them falling off. As a golden rule with bands make sure they're not too loose because you'll lose them or that they're too tight because you cause problems for the bird. I would still band the Cubalaya's spurs or not because it's a better way to identify birds.

The Cubalayas are banded. Using 4" zip ties with colored beads. Considering keeping those even if I start using the metal bands, as they make identification quick and easy. The only ones not banded are my 5 older hens which I can tell apart, the oddball colored ones, the guineas, and the feathered leg varieties. Considering banding the Marans since they only have light leg feathering. Will probably band the Cochins if I get the metal bands, but the colored markers wouldn't show with all the feathering they have. I will attempt to band the guineas once they have finished growing, they are too wild to try to catch every other week or so to reband.

 

[barneveldrerman]

I don't think it would matter but i would personally put it below. I think it would be more comfortable for the the crockerels