Ameraucana Breeders Club
The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club => Housing, Health & Hatching => Topic started by: Schroeder on February 27, 2013, 09:28:30 AM
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Well, I guess I didn't do a very good job with my first attempt at toe punching. At least 1/4 of those that I punched at 2 days show no evidence of same at three weeks. I suspect I was not diligent enough in removing the chads from the new holes.
Am I correct that it now is too late, and I'll need to resort to bands of some sort?
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I usually go back a couple of days after I punch and pick out the scab and/or repunch them. I haven't tried older birds, but I see no reason why you can't if you follow up on the holes and encourage them to stay open. Possibly, use a small hemostat in the hole and stretch it.
Some just cut a slit in the web with scissors.
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To avoid "hanging chads" I toe punch first from the top, then again from the bottom, being careful to hit the same hole on the second pass. Then I inspect for hanging skin - usually it is gone - but if it is there I pull or cut it off. It will often scab over temporarily, but when the scab falls out the hole is there.
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Mike - What do you think about punching again at 3 weeks old?
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I've never done it, but if you do be careful of infection. I would put them in a very clean spot until it scabs over. Anybody else?
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I've toe punched chicks that were a few weeks old, but still in the brooder on clean shavings. I haven't had any problems, maybe I've just been lucky.
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I've toe punched chicks that were a few weeks old, but still in the brooder
Same here. Now days I use the toe puncher and cut the web.
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I've toe punched chicks that were a few weeks old, but still in the brooder
Same here. Now days I use the toe puncher and cut the web.
So do you cut the web on the toe you punched? My toe puching endeavors have not I been as successful as I would like... All of my birds from Paul have perfect toe punches... Putting rick rack around the chickens necks doesnt work a,s well as puppies...
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So do you cut the web on the toe you punched?
Since the toes don't get "punched" that leaves two web area on each foot to work with. Instead of the punching a hole in the web, as I did for years, I now do the punching more outboard...so there is notch or cut into the web area.
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So do you cut the web on the toe you punched?
Since the toes don't get "punched" that leaves two web area on each foot to work with. Instead of the punching a hole in the web, as I did for years, I now do the punching more outboard...so there is notch or cut into the web area.
Ahhhh... That makes perfect sense.. Thanks for elaborating ;D
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When I toe punch my chicks, I use my thumbnail to tear off the "hanging chad" as Mike so humorously put it. This usually results in a pretty uniformly round hole and I don't think I've ever had to go back and re-punch again.
God Bless,
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So do you cut the web on the toe you punched?
Since the toes don't get "punched" that leaves two web area on each foot to work with. Instead of the punching a hole in the web, as I did for years, I now do the punching more outboard...so there is notch or cut into the web area.
Glad you suggested this because I did it on a couple by accident last year and it was so much easier to see, with no chance of it growing back, that I was debating doing it intentionally this year.