This morning when we arrived at school, we were thrilled to find 3 chicks had hatched.
Many more chicks were working on hatching. You could see the first holes they pecked through the shells.
We learned that chick poke one hole through the shell and then rotate their bodies to make a long crack in the shell.
They then push the shell apart with their bodies and legs. Once they emerge from the egg, as this chick just did, they are exhausted.
It did not take the chicks long before they were moving around the incubator. They absorb the remainder of the yolk right before they hatch, so they do not need to eat for about 24 hours. It is more important that they stay warm and are able to start drying.
It was fascinating to watch each chick struggle to its feet and learn how to walk for the first time. Chicks often would fall over, waking other sleeping chicks.
We watched chicks emerge from their shells all day long. The birth of each chick was met with excitement and awe!
There are two chicks about to hatch in this image.
With time, the chicks started moving around a little easier.
When I left for the day, a total of 12 chicks had hatched. There were three eggs that had started cracking, so I am hopeful we will have more tomorrow. We are also monitoring the incubator in Mrs. Cherney's room carefully.
A few of our early arrivers were moved to our warmer. They fluffed up beautifully!
Only one chick so far is golden. The remainder are black with yellow highlights!
Some chicks will be housed in each of the second grade rooms for the next week. We are so excited to watch these new little lives begin!
Ms. Norris
