How to tell chicks apart right after hatching???

[BluebirdHomestead]

This will be my first hatch and I’m just now realizing this might be an issue - I’m wanting to hatch BBS Ameraucanas along with F1 Black olive eggers. They will all be hatching from blue eggs. I will obviously pencil mark the eggs before putting them in the incubator so I’ll have no issues while incubating. But what if they hatch overnight and I don’t see them coming out of the eggs. Or even if I do see them hatch, and they all look alike, how can I safely take them out and do a leg band or something while others are hatching. What would you do???

 

[abpatchy]

You can make a divider inside the incubator when they hatch. That way they can't mix. Then mark them after the hatch either with legbands (like you suggested) or with a permanent marker. With the legbands you will have to keep an eye on the size and make sure they don't get to small as they are growing. The permanent marker you will have to redo if it starts fading.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

You can make a divider inside the incubator when they hatch. That way they can't mix. Then mark them after the hatch either with legbands (like you suggested) or with a permanent marker. With the legbands you will have to keep an eye on the size and make sure they don't get to small as they are growing. The permanent marker you will have to redo if it starts fading.

Ah duh. A divider is a great idea. Could I use cardboard? What would hold up to the humidity and not bring in germs? Would I have to put it in when I start lockdown on day 18?
I hadn’t thought of permanent marker! Thanks.

 

[abpatchy]

I would use something metal. Like hardware cloth... put some tape over the edges so they and you won't get hurt. If you want to make sure none jump the fence.. make a cover as well.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

I would use something metal. Like hardware cloth... put some tape over the edges so they and you won't get hurt. If you want to make sure none jump the fence.. make a cover as well.

Good idea again!