Over 20 years ago I came up with a numbering system to punch the bird’s webs that was easy to remember. The method was created using the same plan as notches in the hogs ears. Later I was told about the APA number code for toe punches-which is the same as what I came up with. Its easy to remember as we read left to right-start with the bird’s left outside web being one, (move to the right) left inside web is two. Continue moving to the right to the bird’s right inside web being 4, then to the right for the outside web being 8. The numbers 1, 2, 4 and 8 doubled each time they were moved to the right. These four numbers are used in combinations to make 1 to 15. Example: Both webs on the left foot make three. Seven is marked by a four (right inside web) and both webs on the left foot. Fifteen is all four webs.
Several years ago we came up with a plus system due to having more than 15 pens of black, blue, splash. The plus system uses slits in place of the holes. A hole is punched then slit open with a single sided razor blade. This allows an additional fifteen pens.
We experimented with a V system, but did not like it. It used a V cut into the webs which was difficult to distinguish from the slits from the plus numbers.
A marking system is very important to be able to track a bird’s ancestors, and know how the birds are related to each other.
Once you decide to toe punch your chicks you will need a toe punch. We have worn out several sets punching at least 30 thousand chicks the past twenty-three years. We recently purchased one of the new style with a lever on it. Jan. 8 will be my first time to use it. When using the old style, make sure the spike is pointed up so you can see that the round hole of the web is completely removed. If it isn’t completely removed it will grow back and not leave a hole.
If you are hatching in a small incubator that doesn’t have space for sectioning off the different breeding pens, eggs can be tied in a pantyhose just before hatching to keep the chicks separated until they are toe punched.
Paul Smith