The poultry farm at the University of Delaware
raises the chickens that lay the eggs for the 4-H Embryology Program. These
eggs, unlike the eggs from a grocery store, are fertile. This means a baby
chick can start to grow inside.
The poultry manager removes the eggs from the hens’ laying pens each day. The eggs stay in cool storage until it’s time to use them for a classroom hatching project.
When a teacher schedules a program for the classroom, 4-H delivers the eggs and incubators. The incubator warms the eggs, helping the baby chick inside to grow.
Students
in the classroom help care for the eggs until
the chicks are ready to hatch.
The
students also watch for signs that the eggs
will be hatching soon.
Baby chicks are very weak, tired, and wet when they have just hatched.
The chicks rest while their feathers dry and become fluffy and soft. Then they can stay in a box with a heat lamp, food and water. They cheep and run around with their friends!
The
chicks are strong enough for students to handle
gently 1 or 2 days after hatching. Students can care for the chicks
for up to 5 days in the classrooom.For more information or to schedule a program, Jordan Ashby, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development at 302.831.8864 or at jashby@udel.edu. Be prepared to leave your name, daytime and evening phone numbers, school name, type of incubation, amount of eggs and desired date for program.