can I write on fertilized egg?

[derby]

I am getting a fertilized egg for my broody hen. Can I write on it with a sharpie to tell it apart from my other eggs? Will it hurt it if I move the egg periodically to get my regular eggs? Will 1 egg hatch or should I get 2?

Derby

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Use a pencil instead of an ink based writing utensil.

 

[Chickenaddict]

I too have always marked my eggs with the date they were laid by the hens using a pencil, You could use a non toxic washable crayola marker as well. I would get a few eggs just in case the one doesn't end up doing anything... 5 is a good number

 

[shelleyd2008]

I actually use a fine-point sharpie marker to write on mine, and it doesn't seem to affect them. Other people that have sent me eggs also use sharpie markers.

ETA: A pencil doesn't work real well under a broody hen, the hen rolling it and stuff rubs the pencil marks off real fast.

 

[Maidservant]

I use sharpie on eggs under broodies, and crayons on the ones in the incubator. I periodically mist my duck eggs, and the crayon doesn't run off like some sharpie does!

Emily in NC

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

We were talking with the European judges at the last show that we were at, and they were telling us how fertility was lower in eggs they wrote on with anything ink based.

Why would you need to write on eggs if they are under a broody anyway?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
To know which eggs are hers

And not someone elses. That's what I did.

 

[Maidservant]

I write on mine because the smaller silkies will hop into the broody nest and lay their eggs. I have to check for fresh eggs daily, and without marking on them, there is no way to tell. I just put a little X on one side of them.

I have no other place to put the broody nest, and for my 3 broody ducks who are all sharing (or trying to share) a nest, they are nesting behind the broody box!

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Ah ha!

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! Maybe 'ink-based products' are different over there in Europe

I mark all my eggs for hatching with a black Sharpie Permanent Marker.
Read here .

Lisa