The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club > Breeding

Tracking chicks?

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KalJen Farm:
Hi everyone. I am looking for advice on the best way to keep track of chicks. I am thinking about toe punching, but i am not sure how it works in relationship to my breeding pairs and such. I have about four single pairs of various blue, black, splash combos. And a larger pen of black pullets and hens with a splash male. Any info on how everyone uses the toe punching method in relationship to their parent stock. I was something that i can look down in a group of mixed 6 month olds and say. "yea, thats crossed with hen ___ with male ___. Any advice. Picture examples would be great, im a visual person. (btw, i will be moving these males around all season, so they are not gona stay all season long in the pairs they are in now)

Jean:
Toe punching is what most people use, but the drawback is that the holes can close up sometimes.  Here is a chart that you can use.

I am thinking of trying some wing bands next year.

Don:
Toe punching is limited to 16 designations.   http://www.dominiquechicken.com/Toe_Punch_Chart.html
Records are really important especially if you start switching matings around, memory is not a good option.  And there will be some transition time when you'll not be sure which male is involved.  MAKE SURE the tab is not still attached and folded under the webbing somewhere. It can flip back in place and you'll never be able to tell it was punched.  Some breeders tear the webbing from the toe punch out.  Check the toe punches for the first few weeks to make sure they are not healing over.  Good luck!

OldChurchEggery:
I did some toe punching this year and it was pretty difficult on my smaller chicks. The Jersey Giants I toe punched came out nice and clean, but the EEs I hatched for fun were a whole other story. Quite a few of them had holes that grew back together even though I thought I'd gotten rid of all the "hanging chad" part of the punch. Practice makes perfect, though, so hopefully this coming spring will be easier.

Schroeder:
What is the ideal age to punch (day, week, month) if you have that flexibility.  Is there any problem waiting until the chicks are ready to remove from the brooder before punching?

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