How to mark quail chicks

[holbytla]

We have 24 fresh chicks that hatched on Monday, and are now happily scampering around the brooder. We're keeping an eye on a couple of them specifically - one that has a crossbeak and one eye, and one that hatched splay-legged that we corrected with a bandage and the shot glass method.

My question: is there a way to mark your chicks for whatever purpose so that they can easily be identified from above instead of having to pick them up and turn them over or try to catch sight of a foot tag? We do plan to tag them as adults but if there is something like a dye that you would recommend for this purpose, I would appreciate a recommendation!

 

[jazzisbest]

well you could use water prof cattle markers

 

[Nabiki]

Food colouring on their heads. Don't use red or the other chicks will peck at it, but blue or green work well.