Chick Embryology in the Classroom
Designed for students from grades two to five, the Chick Embryology Program allows youth to observe the life cycle of a chick, from egg to hatchling, by placing an incubator right in the classroom. Over the course of ~5 days, students watch eggs develop, learn about the science behind incubation and anticipate the remarkable moment when the chicks begin to hatch. High School level opportunities are available upon request, with potential to explore farm to fork pathways and Animal Science lessons.
Incubators and fertilized eggs are provided, along with an optional lesson or classroom materials. The Chick Embryology Program is available in February & March. Incubators are limited, please contact Cass County 4-H Educator Claire King with questions or to schedule a program!
Lessons and activities that are available include learning about basic poultry and egg fun facts, studying the anatomy of an egg by breaking open unfertilized eggs and seeing how they grow into chicks, dying Easter eggs, candling eggs (holding fertilized eggs up to light to see inside them) and more!
Contact Us
Cass County Extension
cassces@purdue.edu
574-753-7750
2026 Chick Embryology Availability
Eggs and incubators will be dropped off at your school on a Monday and picked up on the Friday of the same week. Please be able to provide Claire instructions for drop off, such as what door to enter and what classroom to go to if needed.
There are five incubators available on a first-come, first serve reservation basis. Please be sure to rinse out the incubators before pick-up on Friday. Purdue Extension does not guarantee all 12 eggs will hatch. Typically, the teacher finds homes for the chicks. Please let Claire know if you need help finding a local poultry producer who would take the chicks home once they have hatched!
Available weeks in 2026:
February 9th-13th
February 23rd-28th
March 2nd-6th
March 9th-13th
March 30th-Apil 3rd
April 13th-17th
