removing leg bands

[kyle]

Hello everyone, it's gotten to the point where I feel i should band my finches to keep track of all the individuals. Ive ordered numbered split plastic colour bands from BirdBands.com which should arrive next week. Two of my finches have split plastic bands from the previous breeder. How difficult is it to remove them? Is it better to get the specific cutters? I'm afraid of doing damage to their leg trying to slip the banding tool in between the leg and band. Thanks for any advice.

[vienneparis]

kyle
I've used the split band tool to remove bands before and it worked fine. You just have to be extremely gentle and careful. There's a lot of sweating involved when doing this

[jamezyboo21]

Ive done the same. I used the split band tool and it is very hard and time consuming because you have to be very careful not to hurt the finches leg. hope you have steady hands...

[Sally]

I've also used the banding tool that you use to apply the split plastic bands to remove them as well. You just have to be very careful, as it is easy to scrape the leg of the bird while doing this. The first time I removed a band, I scraped the leg enough to make it bleed. Now, I would keep Neosporin on hand just in case, but you should be able to remove the split band without injuring the bird.

[kyle]

Thanks for the advice vienne, Jamezyboo21, Sally. . I think I will get my niece to help hold the birds. I find its hard to get the tool in initially. It's hard even when it's not on a tiny finch leg. I'll have to give it a go. I hate the idea of the trauma for the birds and me!

[vienneparis]

kyle
Good luck!!!!

[MiaCarter]

This is SO nerve wracking!

Honestly, I'm not sure I'd attempt it if you don't need to remove it.

I'd have another person hold the bird so you can have both hands to deal with the band.

You can use the banding tool in reverse if you're careful. But it takes a super cooperative bird.

You can also use two pairs of really fine-nosed needle nose pliers (I got mine in the craft store for jewelry making). Use one pair to hold the band steady; use the other pair to grasp near the split and break the band. If done properly, you don't even need to touch the bird's leg since you're manipulating the band only.

I recommend rehearsing first. Put a band on a toothpick (perfect stand-in for a finch leg) and have someone hold the toothpick for you while you practice grasping the band and breaking it away.

I would honestly just leave them on if you can and just add additional bands to help keep track of who's who.