Food coloring?

[muscovy94]

Hey everyone I am trying to find specific eggs only layed by one of my silkie hens but i can never catch her in the act. I have heard some people drop food coloring into the chickens butt (please excuse my ignorance). Is that true? Is it safe? Does it really show up on the eggs?

 

[crawfordmama]

I have read posts from folks suggesting this. If the food coloring is fit for human consumption, I believe it would be okay to place on the hen. I have never done this, but I am guessing you'd really need to rub it into the vent to have the color dye the egg, and it would probably show up in a streaking pattern. Personally, I've considered setting up a nanny cam to determine who's laying what. Best of luck!