how can i mark the chicks

[sydney13]

i have 25 chicks and 5 of each breed and i am giving 20 of them away to a friend. i want to pick the most friendliest of them to keep so is their any way i could mark the chicks that i want to keep a few days before i get rid of the others? it wouldn't be safe to put a dot of nail polish on their fur just to mark the nice ones would it?

 

[FiveHens]

I've read you can do it with a washable marker on the back of their necks; it won't stay on long as they are constantly growing new feathers; but it should be enough.
Oh, yeah: don't use red, they pick at it.

 

[chickenzoo]

I use the waxy cattle crayons from TSC. I rub them on a piece of wood to get it smooshy, then take my finger and wipe it on the chick, comes in hot pink, green, blue & orange.

 

[nelgkel]

I have seen people use zip ties on their legs...not too tightly though

 

[SpringChickens]

I used a sharpie! I know other people use nail polish on their toes, but a line on their head works great for me.

 

[wordgirl]

I use food coloring (although maybe I'll have to try the Sharpie idea - thanks, SpringChickens

). I have four chicks marked that way right now. Three have dots on their tummies, and one has one under her wing. Last year our rooster came marked with a dot on his head, which we re-dyed after a while to keep track of him. I decided to mark these girls on their tummies so I could tell which one was which if I wanted, but not have such noticeable dots on their heads.

 

[Mahonri]

We also use blue, green and yellow food coloring on the head or back.

 

[Birdgirl]

depends on age, I have marked with a marker on their head when first hatched, and zip tie when a month or older

 

[Breac]

I'd avoid using nail polish, but if you have any washable children's markers, a dot on the head with one of those works wonders.

 

[geebs]

zip ties