Classroom hatching

[pek]

i think it a great idea!

i did this in kindergarten and it went really well. we had a ton of fun!

just bring the chicks home soon after they hatch and theyll be fine.

 

[philogirl]

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I just hatched in my classroom for the 2nd time this fall. If you have an automatic turner and the room temp is stable, you should be fine. Just make sure there is enough moisture on Friday's.

You can make a brooder out of a big box (sized for the number of chicks expected). Cut a big window and cover with clear plastic. Add a light for warmth and food and water. When brooding the weekends can be a problem - clean food and water. It can be figured out. Chances are the teacher comes in on the weekends anyways. Or a neighboring teacher comes in and would help.

With wood shavings and the odor, I can only have the chicks in the room about a week. Noise is not a problem.

Go for it. It will be fine and fun!

 

[mommissan]

There's always a surplus of empty fish tanks around, and I just found a metal screen lid for a 10 gallon aquarium. That, with a light should work. Clean food and water will be a little tougher. I will have to snoop for some supplies. they might just have to come home with me on weekends.

I would like to let them candle them a few times to watch them develop. Anyone make a poor man's candler out of an LED flashlight? I used one on a robin egg I was trying to hatch, but I botched that up- didn't turn it enough, and didn't realize that the air pocket was supposed to get bigger.

Regarding heat, would a small animal plastic heating pad work, along with a light? It's one of those sealed pads, with a chew proof cord.

 

[abbylane35]

My mom used to run the "hatching" program in the kindergarten classrooms in my elementary school when I was younger. It started with one classroom, then moved to all of the kindergarten classrooms after the first year. My mom did not have an egg turner, but one of the custodians was very interested in the project, lived near the school, and went into school on the weekends to do the turnings. However, if you have an egg turner, you should be fine. I don't think the chicks ever stayed at the school for more than a week...they get dirty quickly and create a mess...and their cuteness goes away

I am also hoping to do a hatch in my middle school agricultural enrichment class in the spring. I will be using eggs from my chickens. I think it is a great experience for kids of all ages! Good luck with your hatch!

 

[philogirl]

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My 8th grade and high school agriculture have started this chicken craze. lol They love it! I was able to share the hatch with our webcam. Lots of our classes all over the district were able to watch.

 

[mommissan]

This is great! I thought that I was pushing it with the fourth grade class, possibly being a bit old for the project. When I was in high school, we hatched drosophila (fruit flies). I would have rather had chicks. Shoot, I've been hatching fruit flies all summer in my kitchen. That's no fun. You guys have really got me excited! C'mon spring!!!!!

 

[abbylane35]

Quote:
My 8th grade and high school agriculture have started this chicken craze. lol They love it! I was able to share the hatch with our webcam. Lots of our classes all over the district were able to watch.

That's awesome! It's a great experience! I haven't told my class about the potential hatch yet, because I know that is all that they will talk about...and I'm not ready to hatch yet!

 

[philogirl]

Quote:
My 8th grade and high school agriculture have started this chicken craze. lol They love it! I was able to share the hatch with our webcam. Lots of our classes all over the district were able to watch.

That's awesome! It's a great experience! I haven't told my class about the potential hatch yet, because I know that is all that they will talk about...and I'm not ready to hatch yet!

The hatch cam http://www.ustream.tv/channel/avhs-chickens

 

[mommissan]

Cool! They are soooo cute!

 

[Impress]

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Me too, all summer long, darn my family and their love of bananas!