Which plastic split bands do you prefer?

[BillD]

I had a bad experience when I tried to closed band my only chick from my Societies. I'm hoping that split plastic bands will be easier since I have a few new babies now.

I have found conflicting info on what type of band to use and would appreciate hearing from all you experienced people. I don't think I want to use aluminum bands, but there are thin plastic and thick plastic from what I've read.

I think I'll be getting the numbered bands with the NFSS year colors from http://www.redbirdproducts.com/legbands.htm

I would like to 'tag' each baby with a different color and I'm learning from ac12's comments that I may want to 'tag' for family too. Haven't figured it all out yet.

My question is, which split plastic bands do you all prefer?

[Sally]

I tried the soft, thick plastic bands often referred to as 'perler beads' or 'pearler beads', usually sold at places like eBay or a few bird websites. I loved them at first, as they are nice and big and easy to apply and see. Then I had one slip down over the ankle of a bird, causing blood circulation to be cut off. The problem with these bands is that they are too big for many of the finch species--probably work great for parakeets, etc.

The smaller split plastic bands are fine. The only caution with those is don't spread the band too wide when you put it on the applicator tool, as then it is hard to pinch it back completely closed, and there will be a gap big enough for the band to come off. I had forgotten about the banding information at the FIC, shows in photos how to do it. Just don't spread the band as wide as they show in the photos (I'm sure they were just trying to show how the band was spread open).

[BillD]

Great advice as usual Sally. Thanks.