Marking baby chicks

[Sallyschickens]

My toe punched chicks are getting big and the holes are breaking apart. (I bought them toe punched already.) This cant be good for their feet...I am not happy with it.

What about nail polish?

 

[bufforp89]

I have had really good luck using food coloring from the grocery store. A little goes a long way though. It goes away in a few weeks and there is usually no need to reapply.

 

[Sallyschickens]

Quote:
Do you die the whole chick? How do you do it?

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

Some of the hatcheries put a colored dot on their heads with a sharpie. It stayed on mine until the down on their heads fell out to be replaced by feathers. Since the head is typically the last part to get feathers, it stays on them for a while. I got a couple of batches that were marked this way and it didn't cause them any problems. Maybe you could just avoid red and similar colors so they won't be as tempted to peck at each other.

 

[bufforp89]

I just take a small ammount on my finger and dot it on their head. I always use blue because I have light colored chickens.

 

[NYREDS]

I have always toe punched as does every serious breeder I know of. There is rarely any blood & when there is certainly nothing that requires blood stop powder. It does not adversely affect their feet at all. It's permenant & does not require ant future attention.
Those who have stated so emphatically that it hurts-how do you know that? Also if you'd ever seen a toe punch you'd be aware that there is no possible way you could "punch off a toe"" with one.

 

[Sallyschickens]

What happens when the hole breaks as adults. Most of my chick's toe punches have broken. I can still identify them, just wondering if it structurally harms them as big, fat adults.

 

[bnewns]

Has anyone tried marking the bottom of their feet with a sharpie? How long do you think it would last?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

We wing band here, toe punch the ornamental waterfowl and use various leg bands as needed when shipping to new owners.

 

[bnewns]

I just need the color marking until they are about 2 weeks old and my colored snap bands can go on them.