Food coloring in the water

[L&Schickens]

I have a very hard time seeing the water level and where the water goes in my incubator due to the turner. So I add some red, blue or green food coloring to the water so I can tell where the water is going.

 

[swtangel321]

hmmmm, interesting !!!!!!

 

[BirdBoy88]

You know i was thinking about this the other day cuz i always have a hard time seeing the water level... i want to no to if this is ok to do

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

My question would be, would the food coloring be able to seep through the eggshell?

May sound like a stupid question, but because the water evaporates in the bater and seeps through the shell as moisture, would the food coloring do the same thing.

Or are the color pigments considered a solid are are left behind when the liquid is completely gone?

 

[keljonma]

I've never used an incubator, but I would think that the food coloring might stain the water level area and eventually be illegible.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I didn't think that water vapor can carry introduced substances with it. Distilled water is just that - vaporized water that has condensed and no longer has any minerals or other substances with it.

If you're really worried about the dye, though, why not float something on the surface, like a packing peanut (the styrofoam kind, not the peeping kind)?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
That would interfer with your surface area and change your humidity levels. There was a thread before on this but, I don't remember what was decided.

 

[L&Schickens]

I have not had any chicks come out green, red or blue yet, so I guess it is ok.

 

[katrinag]

The food coloring is a wonderful idea.