Lipstick and Food Dye Marking

[JacinLarkwell]

Think I have it in the right forum, not 100% sure though, sorry.

So, next year I need to mark layers so I know what breeds the eggs came from.

I was originally going to just do food dye, but that's only 3 or 4 colors then, and I really just need more than that.

So then I started thinking about lipstick, because I know there's at least 5 different colors I can use.

What do I need to know for these methods to work? Do will different lipstick shades be easy to tell? Or will most reds look pretty close?

(Note, I'd be applying it the night before, since I can't make myself get up early enough)

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know if they ever wrote the article but this thread might help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-safely-mark-hens-for-egg-laying.1449943/

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I don't think they did.

I'm mainly trying to figure out how many shades I need to get and how different they have to be from each other. I don't want to get shades that all look the same on eggs since that will mean I can't tell them apart for a few days

 

[aart]

I'm mainly trying to figure out how many shades I need to get and how different they have to be from each other.

How many birds do you need to mark?
I'd think they need to be very different.

You might have to do them in groups of 3-4, do one group then wait until due is clear, them mark the next group. Of course I'm sure you have your birds banded, so taking notes about who is good for hatching and who is not shouldn't be a problem. Then you can isolate the ones you want to gather hatching eggs from once the season approaches.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't think they did.

I'm mainly trying to figure out how many shades I need to get and how different they have to be from each other. I don't want to get shades that all look the same on eggs since that will mean I can't tell them apart for a few days

Sounds like some experimentation is in order. Not just for differences in shades but also how long lipstick lasts, if overnight is good enough. Confirm it will work and get your technique down before you depend on it.

Another thought. Can you mix food dyes to create enough different colors for you that you can track. I could see orange, brown, and purple, but watch your proportions. Or do some with food colors and some with lipstick to see if there are sufficient differences.

Could make a great article.

 

[aart]

Someone on here made a video of holding the hen upside down so vent was facing up,
they placed a drop or 2 of gel food dye on the vent and it went right up inside her.
I didn't save it and can't remember the members screen name.
Ooo... I did save it!

 

[NatJ]

I was originally going to just do food dye, but that's only 3 or 4 colors then, and I really just need more than that.

I've seen food coloring (paste form) in little jars in the craft/hobby stores, in lots of colors.
In my area, it's in Joanns and Michaels, and both of those stores regularly put out coupons for 40% off one item-- so I just pick up another jar each time I have a coupon and am in the right place, until I have all the ones I want.

I've never personally used it for marking hens to color the eggs as they are laid, but I have used it in food, and for dyeing easter eggs, and even for dyeing fibers like wool or silk. It's pretty versatile stuff.

So then I started thinking about lipstick, because I know there's at least 5 different colors I can use.

What do I need to know for these methods to work? Do will different lipstick shades be easy to tell? Or will most reds look pretty close?

(Note, I'd be applying it the night before, since I can't make myself get up early enough)

I would just start trying it.

If you already have any food color, and any lipstick, you could try smearing them on eggs to see how well they show up. Different egg colors probably affect how it looks.

Then you could try applying them to hens, and look at the resulting eggs.

You may want to end up using some of both, depending on how available each is, and what colors they come in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks, Aart. I've now saved it.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

How many birds do you need to mark?
I'd think they need to be very different.

You might have to do them in groups of 3-4, do one group then wait until due is clear, them mark the next group. Of course I'm sure you have your birds banded, so taking notes about who is good for hatching and who is not shouldn't be a problem. Then you can isolate the ones you want to gather hatching eggs from once the season approaches.

I don't have anymore ones to isolate birds, otherwise I'd just do that. Already have like a dozen or so, and those I'm not bothering to mark since they're individual breeds.

I think (it's early still and I'll count when I go down to the main pen) that I have 8? different pullet breeds that will running amuck together

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'll probably do dye and lipstick then. Neither would hurt hatching eggs, right?

I'll have to check out the jars at Joanna if they have any