chicken id banding

[astylishgirl]

Hello,
can someone explain how banding works. Do you start with small and then change them as the chicken grows?

I know some said that they use some kind of tie. Others said velcro. And then others talked about the standard kind that you get from poultry supply.

I am not sure the best way to track the chicks! And how often you need to change the bands. Do you go through about 3 sizes? Or is there one that grows with the chicken. Do you put a temp on until they grow up?

thank you!

 

[SportTees]

Thats a good question- I wish I new the answer. I think there are also some bands that just get bigger as the chick does.

 

[hobbyfarmer]

I'm so glad you asked this! I've been curious about this, too.

I want to band the pullets I plan to keep for ease of identification- so I don't accidentally sell the ones I wanted for my own flock and I would like to band the roos we're raising for meat so they are easier to count quickly among the many pullets of the same breeds and ages (they all free range and I worry about predators and keeping an accurate count) but I don't want to have to catch them all every week or two and remove old bands to re-apply new ones.

 

[Tala]

Well since I couldn't find anywhere that would sell less than 50, and I needed multiple colors in multiple sizes I wasn't willing to buy 50 of each color every time my chicks grew. I only had 3 that needed bands anyway.

I used zip ties (cable ties) from Wal-Mart. Yes you have to change them as the chicks grow, but if you're handling your chicks often you can check the size frequently.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

That's what we use is colored zip ties. The only downside is they will not give as the bird grows, you have to keep an eye on them.

You can put the ties on much looser than you think so you don't have to change them every week.

Steve in NC

 

[madelynbelle]

Heres the site I am ordering from. They have the ones that roll around the leg that look like they would accomodate them growing a little too. There are no numbers on them, but your could probably use a sharpie or something. I am thinking of using the plastic coil bands when they are small and then using the bigger plastic ones that are numbered for the birds I really want to know which one is which

http://www.nationalband.com/nbtbird.htm

 

[Crazy4cochins]

I got a big thing of Zipties from Home depot
500 count for 7 bucks. They have like tiny to large and the good thing is the colors are like tiny-yellow to big yellow
So hopefully I can keep track,bad thing about the ties is some did get them off already but thats because I was scared to put them on to tight but i learned.

 

[Freebird]

If you want to band them as chicks, I'd go for the colored velcro straps. You can find them online or sometimes at hardware stores, etc. They can be cut with scissors and you can do several small birds with just one strip, plus they can be cut longer than needed and be adjusted as the chick grows. I usually just wait until they are about 6-7 weeks old and they can take the adult size cellulose bands just fine. They fit loose but I haven't had one come off yet.

 

[hobbyfarmer]

Most of mine are already 10 weeks old. I already have a bunch of the zip ties. I think that sounds like a good idea if I don't put them on snug.

 

[1farmerjoe1]

I found this article on line about Identifying Poultry in a Backyard Flock. It was written by By Matt John of Poultryman's Supply Company. He explains everything you wanted to know about leg banding.


http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/3/3-4/identifying_poultry_in_a_backyard_flock.html