Marking eggs with a sharpie

[new 2 pfowl]

I don't hatch eggs, but I imagine that sharpies can't be good for eggs even if they don't affect the hatch rate.
Think of how bad sharpies smell from the chemicals, and the fact that the eggshell is porous.
Clearly, the person who wrote that "There has not been any issues with the sharpy on eggs reported yet!" is not an expert...
Why risk it when there are alternatives?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/123506/marking-on-eggs-with-sharpie-bad-thing
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/836544/marking-eggs-sharpie-vs-pencil

 

[zazouse]

Been using sharpies for years on hatching eggs and my hatch rates are very high so IMO they don't hurt a thing.

 

[AugeredIn]

Every egg we collect is marked with a Sharpy. We hatch at rates I would put up against anyone.

 

[AugeredIn]

PS...although I know it strains a lot of peoples sensibilities, most Sharpies are NONTOXIC.

 

[casportpony]

I think someone did an experiment where they blackened the entire egg with one and it still hatched. I'll see if I can find that.

-Kathy

 

[Ellaluvsbirds]

Someimes I mark with sharpie but I mostly mark with pencil.

 

[MinxFox]

I use a pencil but that is only because I can easily keep it outside in the pen. I keep it wedged between the fence and a wood post and when I find an egg the pencil is always right there in the pen for me to grab and put the date on the egg.

 

[SeattleGirl]

I have seen a number of posts that indicate they mark with a sharpie with no ill effect. I use a number nine lead pencil and it never fades or is hard to read. I think the sharpies are too messy for my heavy hand.

Wow I have been looking for a #9 pencil and I'm not finding one. Any suggestions?

 

[KsKingBee]

Wow I have been looking for a #9 pencil and I'm not finding one. Any suggestions?

Use a Sharpie.

 

[Midnightman14]

Sharpie contains some rather nasty organic solvents... I would not want that in contact with an egg.
Try a different grade of pencil harder will not rub off so easily

incorrect. The ink is non toxic.