Science News

News from the Science Lab

What an exciting two weeks we have had in the Science Lab. Last Monday we had 12 eggs, an incubator and a chicken hutch delivered.

The next morning was even more exciting as chickens starting hatching from the eggs. By the end of the day, we had 10 chickens drying off in the incubator. When they had completely dried and were soooooo cute and fluffy we transferred them to the chicken hutch where they could immediately eat and drink all by themselves. We had one little chick that had a lot of trouble hatching – she was the smallest of all the chicks. Her name was Lavender but by the next day she was able to join Bob, Millie, Penny, Tweety, Phoenix, Felicity, Coco, Felix and Fluffy. Tuxedo was a late arrival that hatched the next morning. Unfortunately we had one egg that didn’t hatch which was very sad. That meant that we ended up with 5 males (yellow chicks fir this breed) and 6 females (brown chicks for this breed)

Wednesday was a great thrill for many students who got their first hold of a baby chicken.

It was also the first time we weighed the chickens. Their mass ranged from 33g for Lavender to 43g for Millie.

To help identify the chickens, we placed a non-toxic dot on their head.

Holding a chicken puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Many thanks to our talented girls who crocheted little reminders of our 6 brown female chicks and our 5 male chicks and our one little egg that didn’t hatch.

Students from year 1 to Year 6 have learned a lot about eggs and the development of chicks and have thoroughly enjoyed the Life and Living topic for this term. Sadly most of our chicks will be returned to the farm tomorrow. We are planning to keep a couple of hens.

We are looking for a family that is able and willing to care for our 3 or 4 chicks over the Christmas school holidays as no one is allowed on-site at school during this break. If you are able to assist please contact Mrs Crouch (sherryl.crouch@education.wa.edu.au)

Sherryl Crouch 

Science  Specialist