North Creek Elementary first-graders are keeping a close eye on about three dozen chicken eggs that are currently in incubators in their classrooms.
And, while the 20-day incubation period progresses, they’ll learn about a chicken’s cycle of life.
Late last week, farmer Linda Reilly of Lyndon Township delivered Americana, Wellsummer, Gold Laced Polish, Silver Laced Polish, White Crested Polish, Buff Orfington, and Gold Laced Wyndotte eggs to Karen Glover‘s and Beth Ingalls‘ classrooms.
The eggs were collected at Reilly’s Clear Creek Farm, a homestead that’s been in the family for more than 100 years where there are about 50 laying hens and about 10 roosters.
The project began many years ago when Beth Newman wrote a grant to secure the funds for several incubators and brooders, Glover said.
It started at South Meadows Elementary School, moved to Pierce Elementary and then moved to North Creek where there are two classrooms of first-graders.
The eggs went into the incubators on April 18 and the students will put together a journal about the chicks, which will go to new homes once they are big enough.
But before then, the students will learn to candle the eggs to see if the chicks are growing, they’ll watch as the chick’s peck their way out of the egg shells. and then take care of and name the chicks once they hatch and are placed in the brooder.
And, although they will live in the first-grade classrooms, students from throughout the school will have an opportunity to witness the cycle of life.
