NE Illinois source of fertilized eggs? (Cub Scout Pack Project)

[LZPack239]

Hi All,
For my Cub Scout Pack, I'm preparing a program (using the University of Illinois Extension material: http://extension.illinois.edu/eggs/things-46.html ) for my Pack's Cub Scouts at home to learn how to:

1) Incubate eggs
2) Candle eggs
3) Dissect eggs and document changes in embryo development.

Does anyone know of a source in NE Illinois for fertilized chicken eggs?
I imagine I'd need 150-200 fertilized eggs.

Also, I'm open to any advice on this idea I'm incubating.

Thanks in advance for your assistance,
Cubmaster Jim

 

[cavemanrich]

Hi. BTW I am a former Scout Leader. Would like to welcome you here.
My advice ; I don't like your #3 step.
If you wanted to Incubate eggs and Hatch Chicks, I could give a source of someone that does such a program in several schools in area.
What you describe as wanting to do, is more suited to a High School Biology Class.
I personally have a problem with dissecting an egg that could have developed into a live chick. I treasure life and so does the person I know. I keep my chickens as pets only. Do eat the eggs.

 

[LZPack239]

My advice ; I don't like your #3 step.
If you wanted to Incubate eggs and Hatch Chicks, I could give a source of someone that does such a program in several schools in area.
What you describe as wanting to do, is more suited to a High School Biology Class.
I personally have a problem with dissecting an egg that could have developed into a live chick. I treasure life and so does the person I know. I keep my chickens as pets only. Do eat the eggs.

Hi, Fair enough... you are entitled to your opinion.

But did you know that those 3 steps (including the dissecting step) are specifically outlined for Grades 4-6 by the University of Illinois Extension? (not HS Biology Class you prefer).

http://extension.illinois.edu/eggs/things-46.html
"Understand changes that occur during incubation

• Candle eggs each day during incubation beginning at Day 3.
• Break out one egg on the third, sixth, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth and eighteenth days.
• Observe and discuss the changes you see in the broken- out embryos.
• Discuss the major changes you see and decide which changes are most vital."

I found the University of Illinois Extension website with these curriculum on the Illinois 4-H Club website.

So apparently in farming communities up and down the state of Illinois, 4-H clubs of 4th-6th graders are doing the same activity dissecting embryos.

It seems like it would be a good activity to teach video-gaming suburbanite kids how their food grows and from where it originates before arriving at their table or drive-thru window.

If you like, here's the Illinois 4-H club email address: [email protected]