Chicks in the classroom...?

[TheYLWFlock]

I’m just wondering if it is ok to bring about 3 2-1/2 week old chicks into my classroom for about 1 hour? My classroom is doing a gallery walk on studies of different aspects of culture, and I’m talking about food, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to talk about chickens and how they have been used in most cultures as livestock for meat and eggs. Our teacher wants us to have an interactive display and I figured that live animals are pretty interactive... my concern is that they might get stressed out because of the noise. I would have them in a cardboard box with the front as chicken wire so people could see them. It would have a heat lamp over it, as well as food and water inside and pine shavings on the floor. Could this work for an hour? Or should I not bother? Input appreciated!

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I brought even younger chicks, maybe a week old, to my son’s school for a short visit. I brought their tub brooder but actually transported them in a cat carrier so they wouldn’t bounce around or be hurt if their dishes or heat plate moved around. I did bring the heat plate. I think with planning and attention to their welfare, they should be fine.

 

[SueT]

I think it would be fine. They might be stressed but it will help them become used to new situations. Look at all the people who take chickens to shows, etc.
If anyone handles them, be sure to have them wash hands, so you aren't liable for spreading any kind of bacteria.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Ok thanks! I was thinking that I’d transport their makeshift brooder separately from them. They would be in a little cardboard box. I would fill up their food and water there, and put on the heatlamp then add the chicks. I might allow people to feed them, but not handle them. Glad to hear that this is possible!!!

 

[Harmony Fowl]

You may want to test out the temporary brooder at home with the heat lamp before you rely on it at school. When I think “small cardboard box,” I envision something that could overheat easily. Be sure to give them space to get away from the heat, too.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

I meant like a small cardboard box for transporting them, then they would be put in a larger one. Sorry for the confusion!