How do they get colored Easter chicks

[Frozen Feathers]

Is it some sort of dye they feed the hens or do they color the chicks after they've hatched?? I always wondered that....

 

[cookinmom]

Back closer to Easter time, someone here said that they inject the dye into the egg while the chick is developing. I don't know if that's always the case, but it would probably be easier than dipping them after they hatch. To me, it's a wonder they can even hatch after having a hole popped in the egg.

 

[eggcetra_farms]

I always thought that the down was dyed with food coloring...after hatch. I don't know, I've never dyed a chicken before!

 

[silkiechicken]

You can do either in egg or after hatch. It is easier after hatch so most do it that way I would say. You can hatch chicks after popping a hole in an egg, you can even hatch chicks that you window (cut a hole in the side), disect in or out parts of the developing chick, and tape back shut. Hatch rate is low but it is possble.

 

[alex]

they inject the chick a week or 2 before it hatches. . .