Drawing on eggs

What does everyone use to write on new eggs whether it be for data keeping or just marking which side is up?
Ive read some debates as far as using sharpie on eggs that it could possibly be absorbed into the egg.
So whats your opinion on what to use to write on eggs?

A pencil works just fine but I've also used sharpies with no issues.

I have not marked any other type of egg other than ball python eggs. That being said my favorite marking devise is a sharpened eyeliner pencil. I used a sharpie one year and it was visible from the inside of the egg once the babies hatched and I didn't like it. It looked like it bled through, although there was no apparent effect on the hatchlings.

carpenters pencil is bigger and not as sharp so id probably use that. or maybe a dry erase marker, those dont seem like theyd be as harsh as sharpies if that was your concern

Ive only used pencils but was curious about sharpies and if anyone has had any negative impacts on the hatchlings.

<----Never drawn on an egg.....no need to.....when you can draw/make notes on the lid.....

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Originally Posted by JTrott

<----Never drawn on an egg.....no need to.....when you can draw/make notes on the lid.....

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Some people like to make marks on the top of the egg to make sure it doesnt tilt or move from that position.

Or if you have multiple gecko morphs for example in one tub you can mark which is which.

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Originally Posted by Reptilecam

Some people like to make marks on the top of the egg to make sure it doesnt tilt or move from that position.

Or if you have multiple gecko morphs for example in one tub you can mark which is which.

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Doesnt matter with Leopard Gecko eggs.....you can roll them around, and toss them in the air in the first week or two......for multiple morphs, you can still mark the lid above the egg.....

Jason

First week or two yeah, but what about candling them at a later time? What if for some reason the lid was put on backwards. Just a sense of security I would think.

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Originally Posted by Reptilecam

First week or two yeah, but what about candling them at a later time? What if for some reason the lid was put on backwards. Just a sense of security I would think.

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Yeah, I guess....or you could just pay attention.....if you are concerned with the ink, or marker leaking into the egg, I would do anything I could to avoid it.....if you are not paying attention when you put the lid back on, maybe THAT issue should be addressed.....sounds like their is an issue with complacency......just something to think about......

Jason

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Originally Posted by JTrott

Yeah, I guess....or you could just pay attention.....if you are concerned with the ink, or marker leaking into the egg, I would do anything I could to avoid it.....if you are not paying attention when you put the lid back on, maybe THAT issue should be addressed.....sounds like their is an issue with complacency......just something to think about......

Jason

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lol No issue at all that needs to be addressed. Im simply being cautious it could happen to anyone. My gf could one day open up the box and accidentally put it on wrong or anyone for that matter and it just isnt a risk I would want to take. Im not concerned it was just a thought that was brought to mind and wanted to get others opinions on it because I know a lot of larger breeders do it.

Go to the hardware store and ask where either the greese pencils are or the China markers. They're both the same thing and are usually used for marking on different types of high gloss tile or stone that are hard to mark when making cuts. Ralph uses these to write on his tubs and they also work great on eggs. They are not toxic at all and they're cheap to a three pack.

I don't. I know someone who was getting into raising chickens. They used a marker to mark the eggs and all of the eggs died. Not sure if it was because of the marker or another issue. If I can smell chemicals (which I can with just about any marker), it isn't going on the eggs. No reason to risk it. I do not mark any of my eggs.

If you do want to mark the eggs, I'd do it very lightly with a blunted tip pencil or a non-toxic marker.

Blunt pencil works for me. :)

I mark all of my eggs bc things can and do happen... including hatchling geckos/snakes moving and rolling eggs around. I use a black non-toxic fine point Sharpie and have had no issues with Leopard Gecko, Fat Tail Gecko, Bearded Dragon or Western Hognose eggs.

http://www.geckobabies.com/images/ar...cko_eggs12.jpg

http://www.geckobabies.com/images/ar...cko_eggs14.jpg

http://www.geckobabies.com/images/ar...cko_eggs16.jpg