Marking Chicks

[Poultry Friend]

I am looking for the best way to mark chicks to keep track of ID and which brood they are from.

I have heard of a few options:

1. Toe Punch
2. Cutting webbing of toes
3. Dyeing in the egg

I am not sure which is the best. I have heard a few concerns with each method. Namely, that toe punching or cutting the webbing can result in foot problems later in life and I am not 100% sure on the safety of food dye (especially Red)

To be clear: This is not to sell chicks. This is to keep track of them until they are about 4 months when I will cull the ones I am not keeping. I do not want to band them as I will be changing them often, and they can lose those. I also do not want to wing band until I know I am keeping that bird. I am looking for a good way to track them for a few months only.

I doubt I will be hatching out a ton at a time, so would one hole in the toe webbing really effect them that much in later life? Since I am not using this as a permanent means of ID, I don't need for the holes to be elaborate.

 

[Marty1876]

In your case, I think I'd use non-toxic paint. Just a brush of it (red.blue, green, etc) on their backs will last for a week maybe. Be sure its NON-TOXIC. Another option maybe to paint their legs with the non-tox too. Be prepared to keep paint handy for touch ups, but this'll work until they have enough size on them for leg bands. I don't think they make them small enough for chicks.

Good luck!

 

[debs_flock]

A drop of food coloring. You'll have to reapply as they feather.

Deb

 

[cochins1088]

I also use a drop of food coloring, simply because it's so easy. I usually put it on their heads or chests (the last areas to feather). Just a drop and rub it in, it'll dry and stay.

 

[Poultry Friend]

Since I am wanting to band until I know I am keeping them at a few months old- what should I use? I would assume once they get in their feathers food coloring won't work.

I wanted to avoid having to chance leg bands as they grow, but that might be how I go.... hmm....

 

[Aschenfire]

You might also use different colored zip ties as leg bands...they can be put on, cut off and replaced as the bird grows, fairly easily. I am using them on my Serama babies...tiny fingernail or cuticle scissors can be used to cut them off, since they will slide right under them and cut them quick. No muss, no fuss, and cheap.

 

[centrarchid]

Zip ties too much work for me. I now use colored Sharpies to mark down. Marks legible through at least 4 weeks even on black birds. It is quick and painless. By time mark wears off wingbands are applied.

 

[WaterFowl209]

Color coded leg bands

 

[Poultry Friend]

Colored Sharpie sounds good to me! What color do you use? I know the red dye is bad for marking mice (I use to keep show mice) so I would assume it would be bad for chicks too.

 

[centrarchid]

Green, purple, blue, red, pink and black. I have not noticed negative health issues associated with red. If colors hard to read, then take chick out into sunlight. I like to color left side one color and right side another color to increase number of families. Also mark wing tips for redundancy.

Do some for fun to work out technique and figure out best location to mark.