Do you know that you can dye a live chicken?Some people sell dyed chickadees around Easter while others inject dye into eggs to tell them apart when they hatch.This is a controversial practice that is illegal in some places, but those who do it claim that there is no harm to the chick.Food coloring can be used to dye an adult chicken.
Step 1: Do you know if dyeing chick is legal in your area?
It may be illegal to dye chick under a certain age in some places, and some states ban the sale of dyed animals altogether.Before you attempt this, you need to research animal cruelty laws in your state.No matter how old the fowl is, you can't dye it.
Step 2: Choose a small amount of vegetable-based food dye.
Vegetables-based food dye is the safest to inject into eggs.Most of the commercially- available food dyes are sold in your supermarket.The dyes are gentle enough for people to eat, and there is no evidence that they harm the development of chicks.If you have a food dye that is stronger than a 2% solution, use a little water to make it stronger.The best colors to use are red, green, and blue.
Step 3: The eggs should be injected between the 11th and 14th days.
Chicken eggs need to be kept warm.Between 10 and 19 days you can inject the eggs.Try to inject the dye between 11 and 14.You are more likely to end up with an even color if the color saturates the growing bird's feathers.The color of the egg might not spread out over the whole bird because the chicks are taking up most of it.
Step 4: Remove the eggs from the incubator.
Candling an egg involves holding it in front of a bright light so you can see if the egg is fertile.If you use a candle or flashlight, you can see the embryo and blood vessels in the center of the egg.If you don't see that, the egg might not have been fertilized and you should dispose of it.The embryo might have died if you see a blood ring or red circle inside the shell.
Step 5: Alcohol can be used to sterilize the needle and small end of the egg.
If you want to wipe around the small end of each egg, you have to use alcohol.You should wipe the hypodermic needle down as well.It will help prevent the embryo from being harmed.If you want to inject the dye into the egg, use a 20-gauge hypodermic needle.You can purchase these needles at your local pharmacy without a prescription in most states.Allow the egg and needle to dry.After each injection, make sure the needle is sterile.
Step 6: A small hole is made from the small end of the egg.
Holding the egg gently in one hand, use your other hand to press the tip of a 20-gauge hypodermic needle to the shell just above the smallest end.You can make a small hole by pressing the needle into the shell.If you want to make the hole, don't put the needle into the shell more than you need to.This is the same needle that was used to inject the dye.
Step 7: Inject a small amount of dye into the egg.
Place the tip of the needle into the dye and pull the plunger back until you have a small amount in the chamber.Just slip the needle into the hole you made and the tip will be inside the inner membrane.To inject the dye into the egg, slowly and gently push down on the plunger.The dye could come back out of the hole if you go too fast.
Step 8: Take a drop of melted paraffin and seal the hole.
The dye and fluids from inside the egg can leak out if the hole is not covered.Before you return the egg to the incubator, spread the melted paraffin over the hole and allow it to dry.If you don't have paraffin on hand, cover the hole with fast-drying cement or even a small piece of fabric.
Step 9: Wait for the chick to hatch.
It takes 21 days for chickens to hatch.Once you have injected the dye, allow the eggs to continue to grow, turning them each day as you normally would.When the chick hatch, they should be whatever color you dyed them.The time it takes for the chick to grow their adult feathers depends on how long the dye lasts.
Step 10: Choose vegetable-based food coloring.
Food coloring is the best way to dye a chicken.The kind that you can buy at the grocery store is perfect.It will usually produce a vibrant result on a white chicken, but the effect may be more subdued if your chicken is another color.Even non-toxic hair dyes may be harmful if your chicken ingests them while grooming itself, so it's safer to stick to food coloring.
Step 11: You can brush the chicken with an old toothbrush.
Put a little of the food coloring into a cup or bowl and then dip your fingers or toothbrush into the dye.Always working in the same direction that the feathers grow, brush it onto the chicken's feathers.If you want to dye the whole chicken, start on the underside and work your way up.If you pour water over the chicken's head when it is time to rinse, it might choke if you dye it.Don't brush the feathers backwards or massage them too much.The chicken could be damaged by either of these techniques.Someone else may be needed to hold the chicken for you as you apply the color.
Step 12: The dye should be left on for about 30 minutes.
The more vibrant the results, the longer you leave the dye on the chicken.To avoid stressing the chicken out too much, it is best to stick to about 30 minutes.
Step 13: Wait for the water to clear before rinsing the dye.
After the time is up, rinse your chicken in a shower or sprayer.If you get water in the chicken's eyes or over its beak, it could cause it to become very stressed out.Continue rinsing until you have removed all of the dye.
Step 14: If the chicken is tame, blow-dry it.
Many chickens enjoy the feeling of being blow-dried, especially if they are already hand-tamed and used to being pampered.Make sure the chicken is completely dry before you put it outside.The chicken will not get a chill.The color should last a while.