Teaching the little ones... Kindergarten hatching.

[Clucknut]

I’m wondering if I can get a little advice. Maybe from someone who has done this… One of my wife’s clients teaches kindergarten (Maybe its first grade.) and she was asking my wife about hatching some eggs for her class. I’d be happy to supply her with some OEGB eggs. My own hatching attempts have been limited… I just let nature do its thing, but I think my single rooster takes pretty good care of his 19 girls. I let one of my hens set on 4 eggs last spring, and they each hatched a healthy chick.
Without getting too extravagant, what kind of incubator, etc. should we suggest? Where should we point her for good online information? I assume it’s all right here on backyardchickens.com, and I will encourage her to join in.

Thanks!

 

[Loghousemom]

I just donated eggs to a preschool program a couple weeks ago. The teacher was able to check out an incubator from the district to use. Maybe before spending money on an incubator you don't need have her check around. I have also heard some county extension offices and 4h programs will let classes use them for educational purposes.

 

[Clucknut]

Good idea. Thanks!

If I had use for an incubator, I'd get one and lend it to her... My hens would hatch hundereds of chicks if I let them.

 

[Loghousemom]

Your welcome! I hope it goes well! I haven't been lucky enough to get any hens who want to hatch eggs yet, so I am looking into getting my own incubator soon. I figure it has got to be cheaper than buying chicks whenever I want them.

There is a post here by Sally Sunshine that was the most helpful to me when researching incubation. It is called hatching 101. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101.

I hope that link works! Otherwise just search for it.

 

[lauradoherty]

There are lot of online tutoring services provided which teach how to hatch eggs in very easy way.

 

[Sphinx]

I do several hatches every year for classrooms. The local school district does have a couple of styrofoam incubators. They are definitely more difficult to use.

I've purchased a couple Brinsea Mini Advance incubators for school hatching (and my occasional wild hair). I love them because they are very simple and easy to use. They are around $150 though.