Soon, our spring chick embryology project will begin, placing dozens of chicken eggs in incubators in classrooms around the county. Teachers use the project as a means to reinforce their life cycle lessons, which, for many, is an educational standard that must be taught. The project gives students first hand exposure to the life cycle, vocabulary such as fertile and non-fertile, and even survival of the fittest. Students and teachers receive daily emails explaining what is happening inside the egg that day, a photo of the embryos’ development on that day, and supplemental classroom materials such as word puzzles, chicken facts, math lessons, and vocabulary. Many teachers forward these daily emails to the entire school and invite other classes to visit their incubator. The three-week project also comes with at least two classroom visits by the 4-H Agent. During the visits, we candle the eggs by shining a very bright light into the eggs. (No embryos are harmed during this procedure.) The light allows us to separate fertile and non-fertile eggs, approximate development of the embryos, and lets the students see a silhouette of the embryo. By week two we may even see movement: something like you might see on an ultrasound! Day 21 should bring lots of excitement and chirping as chicks begin to hatch. After a short stint living in a classroom brooder box, the birds eventually find homes with students who are prepared for their arrival.
This project is offered to teachers around the county at a minimal cost. Due to the high number of classrooms interested in the project, multiple three-week rounds are offered. Special thanks to all who donate eggs to make this project possible and keep it affordable for our teachers!
The chick embryology project isn’t our only poultry project. We have others! For those wanting to raise laying hens without having to incubate and hatch the birds themselves, we also offer a Pullet Chain. This project allows youth ages 5-18 to purchase day old hens and raise them to laying age. The project offers clinics that teach youth to care for the bird, as well as how to show and handle the bird. Youth are required to complete a project record book, teaching them to keep track of financial and medical records of their animals. At the conclusion of the project, youth are required to return a portion of their birds to our final auction. Proceeds from the auction help fund this project for future years. (For those interested in purchasing birds raised by 4-Hers, our auctions are held in the fall.)
For those that already have birds and do not wish to purchase more, the Laying Flock Project is an extension of the Pullet Chain. Youth in this project must have a hen already of laying age. It does not have to be a former 4-H project bird. They will show this bird and her eggs in addition to completing a project record book.
For more information on 4-H, please contact Newberry County 4-H Agent Alana West at the Newberry Clemson Extension Office: [email protected] or 803-276-1091 x142. Registration for the Pullet Chain and Laying Flock Project is now open and can be accessed online: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/project_areas/ag_animals/livestock/youth_ls_poultry.html.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
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