Bird bands

[Dramoth]

Well... in an effort to differentiate our breeding birds from the birds we are going to get rid in the near future, I got some bird bands (and someone is making a killing off them).

I just put bands on 2 of our adult birds and the male is pecking, biting at his leg to try and get rid of the band. Is this normal behaviour?

[cjkrit]

This is normal yes.
It will stop soon.
Just not used to this ring around the leg.

[lovezebs]

Dramoth

Hi Mark.

Do you just want colored bands to tell your birds apart? Or are you looking for the true bands with dates and so on?

If you're just looking for colored bands, then go to your nearest craft shop, and pick up some 'perler beads'. They are craft beads, made out of somewhat flexible plastic, they come in a rainbow of colours. Each bead, can be sliced with a sharp knife, to create two, or even three little bands. These can be stretched a bit over a screw driver or what not, and slipped over a chick's foot, with a dab of olive oil (which can then be masaged into birdies skin).

[Dramoth]

lovezebs

Hey Elana,

Thats exactly the sort of thing that I was looking for. We are using them to mark the breeding birds we have from the juveniles we breed. At least until we get the second aviary up and running and can split the flock.

Cheers muchly for that info

[Dramoth]

cjkrit

Heya,

He has gotten used to it now. I just thought it was strange because the female I ringed didnt even notice the band I put on her, but the male bird was grabbing at it and at one point, pulled so hard on his leg that he launched himself into space off the branch

If I hadnt been so worried that he would hurt himself, I would have wet myself laughing at it.

[lovezebs]

Dramoth

Off to space and beyond !!!
That's a good one....