what to use instead of leg bands??

crimson · May 20, 2013

I have 2 pairs of cockatiels, both sitting on eggs, and most of them are fertile.
both pairs have laid at the exact same time, within the day.
when it comes time to pull the chicks for hand feeding, they will be put together in a brooder.

I am concerned a little bit that I won't know which chicks are from what parents.

I don't band, so is their something that I can use that is safe to identify each chick pertaining to their parents?

weco · May 20, 2013

Although I don't think it is done much any more, breeders used to use a permanent marker on a chick's wing (wing skin) to identify them while in-house, however this eventually wears off. Not sure if there are any specific province laws, but here in the states, some states require that permanently identifiable bands be used on chicks or else they cannot be sold.....

Leg bands are the only permanent means of identification unless you want to use ID microchips.....you might look at Redbird Products & National Bands or Banding for colored plastic bands that you could use for your in-house identification, then snip them off when selling them.....

Echo · May 20, 2013

You can use plastic leg bands that are easily put on and off. You could have 1 color for each pair's babies....

I use them in addition to regular leg bands to identify the babies without having to look at their bands number. I can tell who is who from far away that way as I give each baby a different color. Once they are weaned and going to their new home, I take them off.

crimson · May 21, 2013

thanks, bird banding is not mandatory in Canada(as far as I know) some breeders band, and some do not.
I really am looking for something temporary to identify the chicks until they are sold.
those plastic leg bands sound like just the ticket. great suggestion thank you weco & echo

MonicaMc · May 24, 2013

I've seen chicks marked on the forehead feathers with colored markers or highlighters. Haven't seen it on the wings before.

what to use instead of leg bands??

crimson

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weco

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Echo

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crimson

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MonicaMc

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