X marks the duck?

[zooweemama]

Is there some non fancy way of marking the ducks so you know who is who without having to see them with the other ducks all the time? The Pekins are REALLY hard to tell apart, as are the Cayuga for me. And our 2 little Runners. Permanent marker on a foot...so totally did not work. I'd like to fashion something here rather than special order something...was wondering if anyone had any snazzy ideas?

 

[Kevin565]

Colored Zip ties?

 

[zooweemama]

This could work! I only need to mark a couple. TY!

 

[Tahai]

I used the zip ties for about a week. I hated them! The ducklings grew so fast, I had to replace them every other day. The ties have to be snug enough that they don't just slide down over the foot, but loose enough that they don't cut off circulation, and you must cut them off and replace them while there is still enough of a gap to get the scissors down in without cutting the leg open. This was a totally traumatic experience for my ducks, and I was in constant fear of slicing a leg each time I had to change them

Someone on here recommended velcro rings. I think this is a better idea, though I've not been able to find the kind of velcro I need in order to give it a try.

Someone else mentioned yarn for the short-term until they are grown and can get permanent leg bands. I think that might work well, too.

 

[zooweemama]

I will check their legs daily. We left enough gap that if they REALLY worked it- they could their leg bands off. So plenty of room for cutting which we might do in a few days if it looks like its getting snug. I found homes for my excess drakes- I will find out later today how long I have to hold on to them. Which is the main reason why I needed to mark them. We have 4 Pekins and 3 Cayugas and I could not tell who were the gals and guys even when quacking since they all look so alike so it was hard to tell where it was coming from. It was fun snuggling with them for a minute although I am pretty sure they did not feel the same.

 

[nickie]

I used the zip ties for about a week.  I hated them!  The ducklings grew so fast, I had to replace them every other day.  The ties have to be snug enough that they don't just slide down over the foot, but loose enough that they don't cut off circulation, and you must cut them off and replace them while there is still enough of a gap to get the scissors down in without cutting the leg open.  This was a totally traumatic experience for my ducks, and I was in constant fear of slicing a leg each time I had to change them

Someone on here recommended velcro rings.  I think this is a better idea, though I've not been able to find the kind of velcro I need in order to give it a try.

Someone else mentioned yarn for the short-term until they are grown and can get permanent leg bands.  I think that might work well, too.

When cutting off a zip tie just snip off yhe lock from the top. The box that you pull the other end through is the lock, without it its just a flat peice of plastic. Nail clippers or small wire cutters do the trick.

Never try to go under what you can easily go through. My husband, the electrician taught me that trick and I have used that advice many times on this forum for many scared poultry parents with zip ties growing in to the leg. POP the lock and the whole thing comes off.

 

[Tahai]

That's good information to know, Nickie. Thanks.

 

[AnotherSusan]

I have not tried this yet, but I saw elsewhere on BYC the idea of using a piece of spiral key ring for leg bands. They come in different colors and are pretty soft. A dollar store might be a good place to find them. The link above is just to show what they are.