Hatching Chicks | Tadpoles & Frogs | Classroom Alternatives | Outdoor Alternatives

Hatching a Problem?

Hatching chicken eggs is often done as a classroom project to demonstrate a part of animal life cycles. If you’re considering such an activity, here are some points to consider.

Successfully hatching chickens from eggs is not as simple as you might think. Unless you’re experienced at hatching and raising chicks, it’s very difficult to maintain conditions for eggs to hatch and chicks to survive. An incubator needs to be closely monitored and in a classroom setting that can be virtually impossible.

It’s also hard for young children when problems arise, as they often do (a significant number of chicks are born malformed, especially if conditions are not optimum during incubation).

There’s also the question of what to do with the chickens after they're hatched. You need to ensure you have a place for them. Under no circumstances should they be sent home with children who’s families are not equipped to care for them.

It's important to remember that teachers are role models and should demonstrate responsible stewardship. If chicks are injured or killed during their time in the classroom, what message does that send to your students? Also, as the person in charge of the animals, you are responsible under the Animal Protection Act for ensuring they are free from distress.

If you want to demonstrate the wonders of animal life to your students, there are many alternatives you can use. See the other pages in this section for some ideas. If you have other ideas you would like to share, please