Banding canaries by year and pair

[Jamm972]

So I am considering banding my canaries. they say the standard size is 3mm. I found a set of bands that is labeled 2016 and numbered 1 through 10. is this the best way to keep track of the canaries or am I to order different colors with the number 16 on it to separate the pairs so there wont be any inbreeding ?

Whats other peoples banding practices. Also where is a good secured place to buy them on the web ? I found 2 web sites one uses secured pay pal and another one that is closer uses fax or by phone order. Suggestions ? I am in Arizona. Hoping to get bands before the babies fledge

[Paul's Amazing Birds]

I'm setting up 14 pair now. Each pair has a "family color" on one leg and the year color on the other leg. I understand the color for 2016 is blue so I ordered blue canary bands numbered 1 to 100 for all the babies from a company called Red Bird Products Inc. In my band box, I also have about 10 each of the 14 different family colors.

I use split bands because it's just easier for me to band when the babies fledge rather than mess with all the nests on day 6 or so. Also, sometimes a closed ring will fall off or the mom may throw the baby out trying to remove the foreign object from the nest. If you want closed aluminum rings you can order them in blue for the year, numbered and even include your initials if you want.
I keep track of all my notes for each breeding pair on an XL spreadsheet rather than hand written cards posted on each breeder cage and use a grey band for retired birds or those with a record of infertility. All birds are released to an open flight after two rounds. Dads are usually released when mom starts sitting steady and brought back later for round 2 when she starts building a new nest. Fresh nests all have a felt liner secured with a plastic cable tie at the bottom and sprayed for mites just in case.
There may be other ways to do this but this is the easiest way for me to keep track of a complicated breeding season and avoid inbreeding next year.

Paul

[Jamm972]

Paul I thought 2016 was orange ? atleast that's what I got from 3 different web sites ?

[Zebra]

2016 is blue here in the US, probably different clubs or countries have different colors for the same year.

[adoumski]

Jamm972 i joind the lebanese canary club and each year we order leg bands, 2016 are orange in colour. The bands will have the club code, year, breeder number and ring number. In order to join the bird show you need to be a registered member, and birds should have the right band size.
The size differs per type. If i remember correctly Glosters, fifes... 2.9mm
Borders, reds 3.1mm
Nowrich, yorkshires, crests... 3.3mm
I also ordered plastic coloured bands to assign to each pair so i wont mix up the babies and to make it easier to know siblings. Better than having to read each leg band number to find out if they are related.
Check if there are any official canary clubs in your area.

[Jamm972]

adoumski i havent had any luck finding any clubs in my area. just other breeders. i am thinking of starting my own club for the Arizona area. but wont do that until i know for sure what is available in my area.