How to mark chicks

[wingstone]

What would be a safe way to mark chicks, here is my dilemma....I am a hatchaholic, and I usually pick out a few chicks to keep, then I sell the rest,I have had my working hours changed and now work evenings (2pm to midnight) most people that want to buy chicks stop in the evenings,hubby has a couple times sold the chicks that I wanted.....figured I could somehow mark chicks but not sure with what....has to be obvious, he is not real observant.........

 

[GableBabble]

I use leg bands. If I am going to be gone, I normally separate them and put the ones for sale in a tote.

 

[MamaNini]

We use food coloring. Works great for light colored chicks. Hard to miss a green or blue spot on a chick's head!

 

[wingstone]

Thought about seperation but I do not always know when people are going to stop, and i also have alot of people that want older birds say 14 to 16 weeks, so they are pretty much in with the rest of the flock.....will have to look into leg bands.....(keep in mind hubby would sell all of them if someone offered)..... It does feel good when I go to the feed store and they can basically buy their own food...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

We use food coloring. Works great for light colored chicks. Hard to miss a green or blue spot on a chick's head!

We use this too. Last longer than nail polish on a toe. The dark chicks usually have a lighter belly area to food dye with a q-tip.

When they are older I'll try lose fitting rubber bands for leg.

 

[chickielady70]

I read in Hobby Farms' Chickens magazine that you can also mark a toe with a marker(just not red!). anyone have any opinions on this practice. I would really love to mark mine to identify them by the names that the boys have chosen for them since these will be pets!

also another ? when can I switch from paper towels/puppy piddle pads to pine shavings in the brooder?

thanks all! just love this forum!

 

[deerman]

wing bands, or leg bands you can band the ones you want to keep

 

[Beast Raisers]

well there is this special hole punching thing that i got it pops a hole in the chicks web it doesn't hurt them and it makes you look like you are more professional. most chicken raisers that i know use this

 

[ten chicks]

well there is this special hole punching thing that i got it pops a hole in the chicks web it doesn't hurt them and it makes you look like you are more professional. most chicken raisers that i know use this

I do not use a hole punch,and have never seen any other breeders use one.Sounds barbaric,i am sure it does hurt them,chickens do not show pain the way we think animals should,but they still feel it. I would use some of the other suggestions.

 

[cskroeger]

I use very small/tiny colored zip ties around the leg. Leave space to grow. Clip tag at the nub.