Coloring eggs before the chicks hatch can be useful as an aid in the tracking of wild birds and also as a novel way of enhancing the birds beauty.
The egg or embryo colouring does not harm the chicks if the correct procedures are used. The coloring will eventually disappear as new feathers emerge. Most birds will display the coloring at its most vibrant for approximately two weeks.
Coloured bird chicks
Coloring of the bird eggs or embryo is commenced no later than two weeks into the incubation period of the egg.
Egg colouring is achieved by injecting a food dye into the egg.
This method of bird chick coloring has a high success rate as long as hygiene and careful handling of the egg is observed. The correct humidity level and temperature, plus duration of incubation must also be maintained.
Colored chicks
Coloring of eggs is common in commercial hatcheries and the process is used to identify different broods that are to be released into the wild, or are destined for other special programs.
Injecting a dye into an egg for chick coloring will require only one effort.
A good success rate will be obtained if the colouring of the birds egg is carried out between the first and second week of incubation.
Incubating coloured chicks
At this stage of incubation the coloured chick embryo is beginning to reach a size that occupies a larger space within the egg.
If an injection of color is attempted after this stage of incubation there is a danger of damaging the embryo.
The embryo occupies a larger space at this period of incubation and any colouring of the egg at a later stage of incubation may result in the colour remaining localized or patchy.
Incubating colored chicks
Dye used in the coloring of the chick before incubation can be a standard food grade dye.
This dye does not need any sterilization and may be used directly from the dye container. The birds are generally not affected by the strength of food dye used.
Do not flood the egg cavities with the dye filled syringe by using excess pressure.
Selection of the colored chick eggs to be incubated should be fresh and relatively clean.
Follow the normal chick egg incubation procedure to incubate the colored chick egg.
The nesting area of the chicks or aviaries can be kept warm with the use of a small heater from here.
Coloured bird chicks
To inject the egg requires the small end of the egg to be sterilized with an alcohol mix or something similar.
Injecting of the coloring should only be done at the small end ( pointy end ) of the egg.
Chicks with a natural white coloring create the most effective display of colouring.
The colours that appear most vibrant are the greens, blues and reds.
The display from lighter colours that are close to the natural color of the birds will not be as dramatic.
When the birds eggs have been sterilized the small end of the egg shell is pierced with a pointed instrument to create a small hole approximately the size of the hypodermic needle that is to be used.
Position the hole 12 millimeters ( 1/2 inch ) down from the top of the small end of a standard size egg.
The size of the hypodermic needle to be used to inject the dye into the egg shell will be no thicker than a 27 gauge needle and no longer than 25 millimeters ( 1 inch ) in length.
Injecting a dye into an egg for chick coloring will require only one effort.
The nesting area of the chicks or aviaries can be kept warm with the use of a small heater from