Dyed Chicks!

[~Kuromametchi~]

How do you dye chick eggs so that the chick that comes out is the same color i dyed it with?

 

[giasmom]

Why would you want to?

 

[~Kuromametchi~]

It was just an idea i heard someone did it and i would like to try it..

 

[ranchhand]

You may wish to do a search for the info; this is a subject that usually starts controversy, and has to be locked.

Keeping the peace here on BYC is very important, and you can find what you want to know if you look for it.

 

[zatsdeb]

found this on the web,
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Embryology/colorchickens.shtml
About Colored Chicks: Coloring embryos by injecting dye into eggs before they hatch has been practiced for years. By dyeing the chicks, we can identify the young of certain hatches or groups. Some scientists use this method to observe movements of wild birds (especially birds like ducks) after they leave the nests.

By coloring chicks, we can study how the chick's feathers grow. The colored down (the fuzzy blue and green colors you see now) are replaced by juvenile feathers in about two weeks. You can see how the feathers change by watching the color pattern change on the baby chicks.

Dyeing by injection of the egg doesn't affect the chick's health, appetite, or growth. If you are considering dyeing chicks for a school project, please check with the animal health regulations in your community. This practice may or may not be allowed or be regulated.

 

[~Kuromametchi~]

Thanx i have evverything exept a siringe or a needle.. lol

 

[BeautifulBlue]

I think it would be easier and possibly safer to dye the chicks once they've hatched. Just cover them in food colouring

ETA: This person did it with hers and they look cute and looks just as effective as dying the eggs https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=159199

 

[~Kuromametchi~]

so theyl stay died after d ying them with food coloring?

 

[BeautifulBlue]

Yes it wears off gradually like it does when you inject the dye into the egg. But you can apply as much food colouring as you like to get the colour you want. And it will be much easier to apply than injecting eggs

 

[KattyKillFish]

yeah, i colored purple on my coturnix two weeks ago to set them apart from the ones i was going to sell to let customers know which were mine. it was a washable marker but their feathers are still stained purple. the dye will likely last until their feathers grow in.