VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

PROBLEMS IN USING SPLIT RINGS

• Just because the ring is split – it should still be comfortable of the bird's leg. If this is not the case, leg sores or other problems may occur some birds have even been known to lose a leg if the band is not correct for the species.
• If the split ring is too large, there is also a risk that the over size ring may be caught in shrubs or perches and may cause the bird to die through stress (Foreign birds and finches especially).
• Split ringing is only a means to quickly identify your bird – it is not a proper substitute for a closed ring.
• If you miss closed ringing your current year birds (especially Budgerigars, Australian Finches, Zebra Finches and Bengalese), split rings are not accepted as an excuse. Current year owner bred birds must be shown with the correct size and society ring (year colour coded).