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don't tell PETA...

N

notjustair

Well-known Member
My town job is teaching. I always supply the eggs for classes to hatch. This year I wanted to experiment with dyed chicks so I did a dozen. Did them all on about the 14th day - 4 blue, 4 red, 4 purple. My hatch rates are pretty high (about 80%) but only one of the red or purples hatched. All of the blues did.

What is in red food coloring that could have done it? I opened those seven eggs and the chicks all developed to the same stage (complete and feathered but not full size), so it seems they all stopped when the dye was added.

I'd love to know what's up. Anyone know anything about food grade dye? I think I will steer clear of red now!
 
Don't know if this relates or not;
(True story) This guy went into his feed store and ordered the same rat poison he's ordered for years. Takes it home and notices it's yellow, not red, like it's alway been.
Went back to the feed store and asks why. The owner tells the customer they had to stop using the red dye because it caused cancer in laboratory rats.
 
Dying chicks in the shell is nothing new. My uncle operated a large hatchery from about 1935 until 1948. Every year at Easter he would have colored chicks for sale. Very popular. Never heard of any problems.
 
All of the dye was room temperature from the same carton. I'm wondering if those two had a different pH that caused an imbalance in the egg. I'm thinking I will do some experimenting with another set once I butcher these. 48 broilers is enough for now.
 
Might just be coincidence, that the red ones didn't hatch. You would need to repeat the experiment several times, and ways, to strengthen your hypothesis, and credibility.
 
I guess you won't eat red m&m's anymore either? Those were also supposed to be bad for you as well.....
 
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