Marking hatching eggs

[Jessica Rodgers]

Has anyone successfully used the food coloring in the hens vent to mark eggs as they are being laid? I need to know who is carrying and passing on some recessive traits so I need to make sure the eggs are separated by what hen laid them. I do not have the space to separate individual hens out.

Or are there any other methods besides trap nests or visiting the coop multiple times a day?

[Justin Snyder]

I have tried it but without any luck. I have read it multiple times but I must be doing something wrong. I did read the other day that putting gel food coloring on the feathers around the vent is the secret but I haven't tried that yet. I will try again when someone starts laying.

[Jessica Rodgers]

I plan on doing the gel for the 2022 hatching season. Hopefully it works! I hear mixed reviews on it so I’m curious to  try it for myself.