AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Are wing tags ok to use on chicks from day old?

Wing tags on day olds would be a bit drastic.
The permanent types would be too big and almost impossible to apply, the safety pin type would still be very big at that age.
Why not toe punch ???
It is a simple proceedure and you have 16 combinations so can identify 16 different matings etc
You could use micro chips, becoming more widespread these days.
A Permanent wing tag excludes you from showing as it identifies the fowl. No leg bands or leg rings be they numbered or coloured are allowed for this reason.
Besides the problems of size and show restrictions I would worry they could cause damage to the wings with other chicks picking at them, once they draw blood, death and canabilism would likely be the result.

With the toe punching is it hard to do? Does it hurt them? how much is the punches? Thanks for replying

Printle,
Toe punching is used by many people breeding show fowls. The process its self is very simple and quick. The most time consuming task is the yearly task of keeping the breeding book up to date with the toe punch to be used for each mating. You will need to keep the eggs from each mating separate in the hatching tray, to ensure you are toe punching the chickens from the specific mating. As for the process I toe punch and vaccinate chick come out of the incubator at "day old".

Yes I am sure that it does hurt for that brief moment, like getting your ears pierced (I am guessing there). Once the chicks are placed in the brooder they seem not to be bothered by the toe punch, much like the needle for the vaccine.

Toe punched are available for most of the poultry equipment suppliers, Bellsouth, Poultry planet, Lentra direct etc. They are not expensive around $10.

The more you toe punch the better you will get at it, the key is to ensure you get a good clean punch or if a flap of skin is left it can heal up, thus not toe punch. I check my chicked after about two weeks, generally they are all healed up with a nice small hole.

Rhode Red

I agree toe punching is the best option and its permanent

Ok thanks I will check out the toe punches and see them first hand. I will be back for more instructions once I have the punches

A good darning needle or large safety pin heated to a red glow in a candle or gas flame does the job, it cauterises and so heals well with a good result and there is no blood to encourage picking by other chicks, at times a hole just punched can heal over with no evidence it has ever been done.
If you wish I can list the 16 combinations possible.

If you could that would be great Oaklands thank you

You can also use coloured zip ties and change them as they grow very cheap and works for me

I really want something that is permanent but thanks anyway