Sally wrote: mollycharlie Are you using closed bands? With NFSS bands, you normally band in the nest while the babies (and their legs/ankles) are still quite small. If this baby is now too big for the usual band, you are allowed to band with the next size up when the baby fledges. The next size up will go over the ankle at that age, and then the baby continues to grow to the point that the band stays on. When banding at fledge with the next size up, you still often have to use a little grease like neosporin or petroleum jelly to get the band over the ankle. I have waxbills, and almost always band at fledge, because waxbills are so likely to abandon if I try to band earlier.
I attache bands around the nest, the hen will get used to them after getting rid of traying to take them off the nest.