How do you band/color code or keep track of chickens age

[ruralmom]

Since I have been getting chicks and raising to pullets for various customers I have lost track of the ages of my bird and I need to keep track for management to cull the older birds. I have thought about banding but I have never done that, I have even thought about spray painting or toenail polish but I do not think the color would last. Any ideas? as far as the bands are concerned where can I get them and what kind of issues do they bring on if any. Can you even band adult birds? thanks for any input.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'd suggest the plastic spiral bands. I got mine from Cutler Supply and they work pretty well. They are pretty easy to get on and off and they do stand out. My chickens do not have feathers on their legs. This could make a difference. I don't have experience with that.

You need to get the right size. I'd suggest going up one size above their size chart for roosters. Rooster's legs are bigger and you don't want them too tight. You will need a smaller size if you start on the chicks and you'll need to change them out as they grow.

You can get a tremendous number of different codes with just a few colors. Just to pick a color, say orange. An orange band on the left leg may mean something different that an orange band on the right leg. Two orange bands on the left leg may have still a different meaning. Now throw in another color to the mix and you can see how you really don't need many different colors.

Try to pick colors that will contrast with each other but also with the color of your chicken's legs. A light color, say yellow, may not be a great choice if your chicken's legs are light colored. I've noticed that blue does not stand out all that well on my chicken's black legs.

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&zenid=fsc9l5tq3a5l8vem40qcehbkd7

 

[spottedtail]

You can get leg bands with numbers.
Record the number when you band the chicken.
For example 32 thru 57 are 2009 birds.
And 58 thru 79 are 2010 birds.
Get a bright color.
I always put a band on each leg because they lose one occaisionally.

Good luck,
spot

 

[briteday]

I also use the Cutler bands. I just order a different color each year.

 

[Terri O]

Those spiral plastic ones can get nasty if they get too tight. Be sure to tell any customers (if you sell birds) to remove them. I have had a few birds where they got up too high and caused problems. Terri O

 

[33yardbirds]

I just rotate breeds, this yr Barred and Buff Rocks, next year RIRs and eh, maybe Dels eh Orps eh I dunno.

 

[ruralmom]

Thanks for all the ideas. I did order three colors of the bands and plan to do a single color per year and on the fourth year use two different colors. I never thought of rotating breeds. I usually run Golden Comet and am set up to breed my own next spring. I really like the white rock hens. They are already laying adult size eggs at 16 weeks. I am getting a dozen a day out of 20 pullets. Not bad!

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

I use numbered leg bands, and use my program to keep track of birth dates and stuff. It really is a good system! (But I'm not biased or anything....)

 

[TrystInn]

What I do is use a different colored band for each batch of chicken, placed on their left leg. I keep a notebook of the color references - so I know where they birds came from, when, and any other information such as anything unusual or special about the clutch.

On their right leg, I use another set of bands - orange for laying, blue for cockerels (or suspected cockerels), black for out of lay, yellow for For Sale (helps the customers, too - clearance chickens!), red for wound care, etc.

That way, I can look across the yard at a chicken and know their age and status at a glance. Because I am that level of OCD.

 

[laura877]

That way, I can look across the yard at a chicken and know their age and status at a glance. Because I am that level of OCD.

Sounds logical to me. It just sounds like you are very organized.

from another OCD.