INSTRUCTIONS

FOR

HATCHING EGGS

PRE-HATCH CHECK LIST:

EQUIPMENT & DIRECTIONS

Do not wash dirty eggs or wipe eggs

clean with a damp cloth. This removes

the egg's protective coating and

exposes it to entry of disease

organisms. The washing and rubbing

action also serves to force disease

organisms through the pores of the

shell.

SET UP YOUR INCUBATOR

Set up the incubator away from drafts and direct sunlight.

Regulate the temperature between 99.5 degrees - 102 degrees F for two to three days before you begin incubation of your fertile eggs.

Maintain a room temperature between 70 degrees and 75 degrees F.

Check your thermometer to ensure that it

is reliable and accurate.

Be sure the thermometer is placed at egg

level.

Fill water rings in bottom of incubator with

distilled water and keep full.

Make sure that your egg turner is working

properly.

Every incubator is different.

Make sure that you read the

directions on your specific

incubator!

Now, you are ready to pick up your

eggs and place them in the incubator.

Wash your hands thoroughly before

setting eggs in the incubator. Wash your

hands after setting eggs in the incubator.

Be sure the incubator water channels are

full of water. Refill with water that is at

room temperature.

Eggs MUST be placed in the

incubator turner with the small end

down.

Do not open the incubator unless it’s

necessary.

Make sure your thermometer is

placed under the plastic window so

you can monitor the temperature.

AT THE END OF DAY 18

Place a thin layer of cheesecloth over

the wire rack, then remove the turner

and place the eggs on the cheesecloth.

Add wet sponges to bottom channels to

increase moisture, and if your incubator

has vent plugs, remove them as

appropriate.

When chicks hatch, lower incubator

temperature to 95 degrees F.

Do not remove chicks from incubator

until they are dry and fluffy.

WHEN HATCHING BEGINS: DAY 21

Set up a brooder box. Prepare the

feeder and waterer.

Place wood shavings or other suitable

"smaller" litter in the bottom of the

brooder box.

Regulate the temperature around 95

degrees F.

Provide water and feed for chicks after

they are placed in the brooder box. Place

marbles or rocks in the waterer to keep

chicks from drowning.

CHILDREN AND CHICKENS

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Children should wash their hands with soap

and water before and after handling the

chicks.

Children should always be supervised when

handling the chicks.

Parents should be notified that chicks will

be in the classroom in the event that there is

an allergy concern.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Bedding should be changed frequently

and regularly.

Chicks should be treated ethically and

with respect.

Chicks should be kept no longer than a

week.

AFTER THE HATCH

Clean your incubator with a diluted

bleach solution.

Allow to dry

Wash and dry feeder and waterer.

Put incubator and other equipment away

for next year.

ONE MORE THING….

Make sure that you have a good home

for your chicks before you begin this

project.

ALL ABOUT EGGS

The following are

several instructional

activities that would

make your egg hatching

more meaningful to your

students.

Chickens Aren’t The Only Ones:

Reading Rainbow Curriculum

A look at all the different kinds of animals that hatch

from eggs convinces us that chickens aren’t the

only ones.”

Chicken's aren't the only ones theme

Vocabulary Cards:

English & Spanish

LEARNING ABOUT OVIPAROUS

ANIMALS

Unit Activities by Gail Laubenthal, PK

Eggs Eggs Eggs

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

If a chick dies and the children understand

what has happened:

Be respectful about each child’s religious

and personal beliefs. You may wish only to

talk about the fact that a chick died and

make no other explanations.

Notify parents about this experience.

HAVE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

AS YOU INTRODUCE YOUR

CHILDREN TO ANOTHER LIFE

CYCLE!