Hatching Chicks

One of our class projects this year was hatching chicks. Thanks to the 4-H program for getting us the eggs and incubators. It is actually pretty easy and the kids love it. Once we get our eggs and incubator, we just keep water in the channels for moisture and turn the eggs three times a day. During the process, we can candle the eggs. This is when you take a flashlight and shine on the eggs. You can see blood vessels and even the embryo moving around. It takes 21 days from the time you get the eggs from the hen. This year we had 13 eggs. We had 10 eggs hatch. Unfortunately, life is full of uncertainty and not all the baby chicks are born healthy. We did have one chick pass away and another with an issue with it's leg. This is just an added lesson that our children learn about life. Many times the strong and healthy chicks will even pick on the small and weak. I find that quite ironic since some people in this world do the exact same thing to others.

One of my students put the little chick to sleep.