Author Topic: MARKING HATCHING CHICKS IN THE INCUBATOR (Read 2763 times)

RPF · « **on:** April 12, 2015, 08:06:41 pm »

Has anyone got any advice please? Might be a stupid question though. Ive decided to scale up my poultry operation so I've purchased a 77 egg incubator. However, I've got 4 different breeding flocks and 2 different bloodlines so ideally I would like to know which chicks have come from where. Eggs will be numbered but what is the best way to identify the chicks once they have hatched?

darkbrowneggs · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:17:15 pm »

If you are certain you will be able to change them at regular intervals to stop them binding as the legs grow then zip ties first followed by numbered coloured leg bands or wing padlocks. Both are quite expensive but can be reused if suitable disinfected. If you give me some time I might remember the suppliers I used.

When eggs are coming up to hatch segregate them in little zip top laundry bags with a label attached

Steph Hen · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2015, 07:26:51 am »

In the incubator I've used a box icecream tub or similar, cut out bottom and you have plastic walls for eggs/chicks of one blood line. Marker pen in different colours or food dye works fine for a week or so, then you have to top up.
If you have time, Mark each set. Eg. Mark one set with red and another with green or blue - it's easier to tell apart a faded red and a faded blue than a faded red and a non marked.

vfr400boy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2015, 05:10:59 pm »

I use cable ties diff colours and diff legs

silkiechick · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2015, 09:11:15 pm »

stock marker spray or sharpie marker pen under the wing

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2015, 11:58:15 am »

I run two different breeding groups of my main breeds and alternate hatching batches. That way they're separated by age and I can select and band later.