Chicks at School?

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I let my kids handle the chicks but I would be leery of letting 40 kids handle the chicks as kids (even my own) have been known to drop chicks/ducklings when they poop or do something silly. I would wait until the chicks are a week old before taking them to see the class and then if you let everyone handle them I would supervise.

Have fun!!! Seems like that chick phase is over too quickly. But even when they are bigger they are fun~ my son hadn't seen the chicks in a week or so and came up to me with BIG eyes "those chicks aren't chicks they are CHICKENS!" I laughed until I cried...

 

[allieloveschickens]

I think it is a great idea to take the chicks to class, I used to work as a camp counselor and having animals come to camp was always one of the kids favorite things.
One idea for such a large group would be to break them into four groups of ten, then have four different chicken related activities:
- Maybe a chicken guessing game section like chicken jeopardy,
- A chicken drawing section- ie: draw what you think the chickens will look like grown up, draw the chicks coming out of an egg etc.
- A chicken craft project like turning a toilet paper roll into a little chick with paint, markers, feathers, and googly eyes.
- Then a chick holding station, where you can have a bottle of hand sanitizer and you can have each kid hold the chick in turn after cleaning their hands.

Just some ideas! Good luck!

 

[ladybug99]

I brought my peeps to work the day after I received them. I work in a Nursing facility and the residents just loved them.. the chicks were fine for about an hour or two. I brought them in for the entire day and had the whole set up with me.. heat lamp included. I found that people just loved them.. make sure you bring food and water.. my residents had them eating right out of thier hands at 3 days old!!

 

[usschicago1]

I think they will be okay

But I would call the principle first and ask permission. Some schools (like mine) will not allow it.
Mark

 

[Cavendish Chickens]

I would take the chicks in to the class for them to see. I agree about having a small cage to keep them in, and a lamp to keep them warm with. If you're only going to be there for about a half hour to an hour, I wouldn't worry too much about having food with you. Unless you live a distance away. lol Also, I wouldn't let the kids hold them. Maybe take turns reaching in to pet them if anything. Stand in single file line to wait for their turn. I would worry about the chicks getting hurt. If you do let the kids touch, or hold, the chicks... make sure they wash their hands before and after. Even if just with hand sanitizer. Humans can carry a lot of bacteria the chicks could pick up.

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

From the perspective of a former kindergarten teacher I have to advocate for the school project. My only caution is little hands tend to squeeze and well, that usually equals dead chicks. I think either a NO touch policy or you hold the chick and the kids pet it while in your hands is probably the best option.

It is difficult to explain a dying chick to a classroom of kids (I've had to do it) and it is even more difficult to explain if you are really miffed cause one of the kids was over zealous.

But, the risk is really worth it. My experience is that most kids have NO idea what a baby chick is other than what they see on TV.

 

[Cluckn Crazy]

We're going in 1 1/2 weeks! Thanks everybody for your great suggestions.