Lina (3rd grade), Addie (2nd grade), and Joaquin (TK) generously brought fertilized chicken eggs from their farm, along with all of the required supplies for us to incubate them. For 21 days, we excitedly watched the incubator with great anticipation, monitoring it to ensure the eggs had the proper heat and humidity. On day 7, we "candled" the eggs by shining a flashlight on them in a dark space to get a sneak peek at the early development.
The third-grade class has been delighted to learn about their growth and even gave presentations to teach the lower grades all about it. On May 5th, the first chick hatched, and by the end of May 6th, we had five adorable, fluffy chicks!
On May 7th, they were ready to leave the incubator and move into a brooder—a safe space with heat to keep the chicks warm enough while their feathers grow in. They will stay with us for another couple of weeks before returning to the family farm. What a joy it has been for all of us to observe these tiny chicks!