Is it ok to make marks on eggs?

[chick mansion]

Our hens just started laying eggs recently, and one has started to sit on them. Is it ok to make marks with a marker on the eggs so we can tell those apart from the other eggs?

 

[CapricornFarm]

Yes

 

[AimeeDx]

I personally use pencil to mark them, because i have a fear that the chemicals in the marker may leak into the embryo.

 

[Abriana]

I always use sharpie, but that's a good point AimeeDx. I would use pencil. If it doesn't show use a black colored pencil maybe.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I've used pencil and marker. Pencil tends to fade before the eggs hatch. Marker does not.

I've never had troubles with marker.

 

[GuppyTJ]

I use a marker. I make tiny dots on the fat end of the egg. So for example, maybe 1 tiny dot means it's an egg from one of my Barred Rocks. Two tiny dots mean the egg is from one of my Buffs, etc. Then I write down on a piece of paper what the dots mean. So, the point is, I keep my marks on the eggs as small as possible and I keep the key to what the dots mean written down elsewhere.

Just my method.
Guppy

 

[Pensmaster]

I've used pencil and marker. Pencil tends to fade before the eggs hatch. Marker does not.

I've never had troubles with marker.

Agree markers are fine. Pencil disappears.

 

[javaferret]

I use colored pencil after finding out my normal pencil started to rub off/wear off. I was scared to use a sharpie incase it would seep into the egg, good to know you guys do use them!

 

[AquaDuck]

I write entire novels on my eggs as for heritage, when layed, when incubated etc. I've always used graphite pencil though, having heard markers are bad. Interesting to hear you guys have used it without problems. Maybe it's not as bad as the rumor says.

 

[mymilliefleur]

I use a sharpie to mark my eggs. It has never seemed to have any effect on the egg.