Food Color Chicks?

[Dark4]

My little white Silkies will hatch in about a week and a half now and when they hatch I want to be able to tell them apart before putting them in the brooder. so I was wondering if I could put a tiny spot of food color on there wings, will it harm them? or make the others pick on each other?

 

[Cattitude]

I bought some non-toxic washable kids markers to dot mine with.

 

[Denninmi]

As long as it's non-toxic dye, it won't hurt them. I'd suggest coloring the nape of the neck for maximum safety, as they won't be able to reach that area when preening and spread or ingest the dye.

 

[Supermommy486]

Also don't use red!

 

[scarter]

The hatchery puts a mark on their heads if you ask them to separate. We ordered for three families once and this is what they did.