Which one is better to use? I bought some leg bands from Randal. They are made from hard plastic and seem pretty rough on the edges to me. I'm afraid it might make their legs sore. For some reason I imagined leg bands would be a soft, heavy duty rubber. Is there a brand that is?
I've been reading about the toe punch (ouch). Does anyone have a preference?
I need to mark the two chicks that are a mix of Wheaten/ and BCM. When they feather out it will be impossible to tell them apart.
I'm planning to go to Indiana in October to the show where Wheaten Marans will be judged for the SOP to be accepted. Pretty darn excited about that!
I really need to have a good way of identifying each bird and their background. I would really appreciate any sugggestions. Thanks!!
Leg band or Toe Punch?
Can you take a fine emery board and smooth the edges? If you are going to show them, they will probably need to be banded.. Surely not this young...?
*there are never identical chickens.. You will always be able to tell them apart.. :) Especially as well as you watch yours!
I use zip ties to mark mine. They have to be replaced a couple of times as the chick grows, but they come in lots of different colors and have never rubbed any of my chicks' legs.
Goodness, your really taking this thing serious. Annie your the only lady I know that watches the grass grow...LOL...You are such a darling. I was going to suggest the same thing ZZ's mentioned, an emory board to remove rough edges. I would band rather than trust my memmory. Rather than bands I just used colored tiny zip ties. I worked well and make sure they are loose enough for growth, but tight enough for them not to slip off of the toes. I kept a chart but I was doing it to keep from cross breeding. Good luck and I wished I was going to the show with you...Hay
At this age there are many I can tell easily identify, but they will be changing so much during the next several weeks I'm afraid not to mark them in some way. Why don't they make sturdy SILK leg bands, then I wouldn't have to worry about sore legs LOL. I will try the fine emery board on the bands I have and get some colored zip ties as well. Thank you!!!
I'm just fascinated with all the babies and the moms behavior. I'm very worried about the moms, they're so thin. I made a little bit of hot oatmeal and added some flock raiser to it so they'd eat. I held it in a little dish - she took a bite, made some noises and all the chicks came running and she dropped it on the ground for them. Amazing! She was going to make sure her babies ate first. They were even pecking it off her beak. I didn't give her more than a few bites because I'm pretty sure that isn't a good diet for the babies right now. They all absolutely love the grass/dirt ball, it's their favorite snack and toy. I love watching those little legs scratch.
Your so easy to entertain...lol...Toe punch? ouch... I'd never heard of it, how does it work? The toes are so tiny...There is still so much to learn, and of course the technology never stops...Those Silver Sussex and Coronations are indeed huge and beautiful also. My wife saw them and said she just wants to stick her face into their fluff...LOL...Shes a mess, kinda like Annie...LOL...Hay