Can I mark my new chickens to tell them apart?!?

[ChickenLoverGia]

Hello! I recently just adopted 8 new pullets into my flock! They are all completely white and I have trouble telling them apart. They are all hens and are just about to all start laying! I was wondering if anyone else on here has ever colored one of the feathers on their backs so they can tell the colors apart until they learn the chickens behaviors and names... I think its ok to do this but I want to get a second opinion, because if I color code them with sharpie marker, and they groom themselves, could it be toxic? is there a certain spot on their back that they cant reach?

 

[chickencheeper]

Hello! I recently just adopted 8 new pullets into my flock! They are all completely white and I have trouble telling them apart. They are all hens and are just about to all start laying! I was wondering if anyone else on here has ever colored one of the feathers on their backs so they can tell the colors apart until they learn the chickens behaviors and names... I think its ok to do this but I want to get a second opinion, because if I color code them with sharpie marker, and they groom themselves, could it be toxic? is there a certain spot on their back that they cant reach?

I’d recommend different colored zip ties around their legs. Just make sure you cut off the extra and don’t do it to tight or loose

 

[PirateGirl]

I'd probably get colored bands for their legs instead.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W79HZ9...t=&hvlocphy=9028830&hvtargid=pla-313291997966

Something like this. If you don't have enough colors you can do some on the right leg and some on the left leg.

 

[mechanic57]

They make leg bands for this.

 

[ChickenLoverGia]

That's great! Thanks for the responses! Could I use food coloring too? But I know not red... because that would not result in healthy feathers.

 

[mechanic57]

Oh really? The whole time I try to attach an image and it does nothing, now its attached 6 times? I see the site is still as broke as it was before.

 

[ChickenLoverGia]

Oh really? The whole time I try to attach an image and it does nothing, now its attached 6 times? I see the site is still as broke as it was before.

Lol
I love your quote, "no other animal works this hard to crap in its own drinking water" That is hilarious and so true sadly.