Dyed Chicks

[chickensducks&agoose]

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

People who raise rare waterfowl use this to mark chicks, I am planning on doing it this year for ID.

 

[vanilla.exe]

Okay, well kool aid doesn't sound too bad. What type of 'dye' do you use when injecting? When people tattoo fish, they inject dyes into the fishes skin which results in sickly fish, most do not make it through the process. All of that for hearts or smilies on your fish

Obviously it is different with birds, and I can see where it would be useful within your own breeding program.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Its food coloring from the grocery store that you inject in to the egg. It only goes in the water part of the egg an stains the down as it grows.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

vanilla.exe :

Okay, well kool aid doesn't sound too bad. What type of 'dye' do you use when injecting? When people tattoo fish, they inject dyes into the fishes skin which results in sickly fish, most do not make it through the process. All of that for hearts or smilies on your fish

Obviously it is different with birds, and I can see where it would be useful within your own breeding program.

Regular food dye from the store.​

 

[lotzahenz]

I think it is harmless to the chick, the food grade dye is safe to eat and it grows out when the chick down falls out. People who buy chicks and don't take responsibility for them is a problem. HenZ

 

[redhen]

Its harmless.. just use a SAFE dye..like food coloring.

 

[redhen]

I would NOT inject into an egg...
no way.. too much risk.
I'd just rub some dye on the baby chicks after they hatch.... thats the safest way to do it.

 

[ClucksForFun]

Okay, well I've heard of this but never actually seen it. Then I was watching chicken videos on youtube, and videos of dyed chicks popped up in the sidebar. Well my immediate reaction is, 'those poor chicks'. I don't know if it's harmful to them or not, but it seems to be akin to tattooing fish (well that is harmful, often fatal to the fish) or painting turtles. I don't see how it makes them more attractive, I think chicks are heart-melting adorable anyway, even if it's harmless to the chicks, I think it's pretty stupid and I hate it when people use gimmicks like that to sell animals.

Anyway, what I want to know is:

1. Does it hurt the chicks
2. What do you guys think about it?

I share your feelings. I think it's quite unethical. Here in Iowa, it is illegal to buy or sell dyed animals. Why would you want an artificially dyed animal anyhow? I'd be concerned about eating the eggs.

 

[ClucksForFun]

Its harmless.. just use a SAFE dye..like food coloring.

Food coloring, although I'm sure it's FDA approved, is still only mediocrely "healthy". I wouldn't put it on any chicks, or slather it on my body either