Rings for day old chicks

Randall · **Joined:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:51 pm **Posts:** 12

Can day old chick ware leg rings and if so what size should I buy? I have looked on the internet at shop that sell them but if not clear what size I need for day old chicks

Thanks for reading

Fluffy_Feet · **Posted:** Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:56 pm

it took me awhile to find that out too. but yes you can leg tag them. you just have to watch they dont out grow them

6mm will be your best option even if you have to purchase rings made for pigeons or other birds

http://www.brookfieldpoultryequipment.c ... php?id=427

http://www.brookfieldpoultryequipment.c ... -chart.pdf

JOKE · **Posted:** Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:38 pm

I use a 6mm spiral ring on large breeds as well, but have had them sometimes slip off. They also grow out of them very quickly.
Using a manual toe punch this year seems to be working well.

Fluffy_Feet · **Posted:** Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:05 pm

JOD wrote:

Using a manual toe punch this year seems to be working well.

how do they work. iv heard of them but never really new what they involve..

JOKE · **Posted:** Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:13 pm

not for the faint hearted, you punch a 1mm round hole in the webbing between toes, using different toe & leg combinations for different identifications,it appears painless and quick.

Randall · **Joined:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:51 pm **Posts:** 12

Thanks allot everyone, I don't mine buying a few different sizes and replacing them as they grow its just when they all go into the brooder together on day one I need to know who is from where. I will go to that web site and have a look at what available
Thanks again everyone

One other question do any of you use the metal rings for adult birds? Or is plastic better?

JOKE · **Posted:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:01 am

I have used the plastic spiral rings and found over time some have deteriated and come off, don`t know about the metal ones but a good quality cable tie works well as long as the bird is fully grown.

OakA · **Posted:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:03 am

Hi Randall,
I have large breeds and am able to toe punch with an electric punch, quick and easy and does not heal over as it is cauterised.An alternative is a "darning needle" heated red hot in a gas flame or candle.
There are 16 possible combinations to 'toe punching', ranging from none to all, done in webs of the feet.
Rings are a problem in they can outgrow or lose.If I use them I like the spiral and is a smaller variant available in some pet shops for birds.However I have found an easy alternative is coloured "cable ties", available cheaply in a variety of sizes and colours, at times all in one bulk pack, at any hardware store etc.
To permanently identify with metal wing bands or leg rings is just that a form of identification and not acceptable if you are intending to show, birds are to carry "no" form of identification on the show bench and would be disqualified.

Randall · **Joined:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:51 pm **Posts:** 12

Fantastic info thank you all with the cable ties are they like the garbage bag ties? Or the little zip ties? Do you just cut them off and then replace as they get tight? I think I have seen some pullets a few months ago for sale that had the zip ties on their legs but it didn't really register until now as to why.

OakA · **Posted:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:37 am

Zip ties/cable ties, different names different places, I guess.
But you got it in one.
Are a variety of colours, blk, wh, red, yellow,blue, green.???? That's all I think, just pull to the desired fit, not tight but so as not to slip off, cut off the excess.
I sometimes use on different legs for different breedings or combinations of colours,numbers of ties , to give more variations and possibilities.
I make different breeding combinations in a season.So the males are banded different colours on one leg , the hens differing colours on the other, the resultant progeny have both parents colours, that way differentiating thier breeding.
As I said before I 'toe punch' but the ties are a simple quick system to recognise a bird of a particular breeding when they are out in the rearing runs, I don't have to catch them to identify what thier breeding combination is.

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Rings for day old chicks

Who is on the Forum