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Chick Watch 2026

Chick Watch 2026
For updates on our 'Living Eggs' project, please see our diary below.
Day 1
Ten eggs were delivered today!!
We were very excited to meet 'Farmer Vic' who set up the incubator, safely installed all of the 'living eggs' and answered lots of questions. We learnt that the incubator is very important to keep the eggs warm before they hatch, just like a mother hen would do with its own eggs, so we have to keep it turned on all the time! We need to make sure that it always stays at exactly 37.7 degrees. He also shared that it is important that we don't touch the incubator or eggs before they hatch so they don't get harmed whilst growing. There is a tray of water in the incubator to keep the air moist - this needs to be topped up to make sure the egg shells stay soft enough for the chicks to crack out of easily!
To keep the incubator and eggs safe, we set up a 'chick watch station' in the corner of the classroom with a row of bunting in front to remind everybody to 'look' but not 'touch'. Lots of children then helped to create some chick rules and reminders to add to our display. We also wrote our first 'chick diary' entries.
Day 2
We have been checking in with our eggs regularly throughout the day, but although some children thought they saw a little 'wobble' there has not been much movement today as the chicks still get ready to hatch out.
In class we have been learning lots about chick life cycles and had fun recording what we've learnt through art and craft. 
At the end of the day after Reception had gone home it looked like there might be a very small crack in one of the eggs. We discovered that the chicks can hear us even from inside their eggs, so sometimes they wait until it is quiet to hatch out. Finger crossed!!
Day 3
We were very excited that our first chick hatched today! Lots of children had noticed a tiny crack but we had to be very patient waiting for it to hatch out, which it finally did just before lunch! It was amazing seeing it happen as we saw the egg wobble and roll then gradually get pushed open. We learnt that chicks have an 'egg tooth' which they use to crack their way out, but it is hard work so once they've hatched they need a bit of a rest! It takes a little bit of time to get strong enough to stand up and dry out (the chicks are a little wet when they first hatch out) but by the end of the day the chick was happy moving around and drying out. we know that the chicks inside the eggs can hear what's outside (and vice versa) so we think our new chick is talking to its brothers and sisters and encouraging them to come and join her (or him!). 
By the time that school closed for the night there were a number of other chicks who were clearly 'pipping' (the term used to describe the chick hatching out) so we're sure there will be more in the morning!!
Day 4:
We were very excited to arrive at school today to see that 4 more chicks had hatched overnight! They looked very strong and healthy and are now tucking into some 'scraps' from inside the egg shells (which is their usual diet for 24 hours or so). We kept a regular watch throughout the day and were delighted to see Chick no.6 arrive at lunchtime again and Chick no. 7 just before home time. Mrs Clarke was lucky enough to meet Chick no.8 just before the school was closed for the night!
Some children have started to give the chicks names and made a suggested list including 'Trouble' (the one climbing on the others' heads), 'Chip', 'Cutie-pie' and 'Cheep cheep'. We've noticed that many are very similar but as they dry out it is easy to see different patterns appearing on their backs. The 'old' chicks are now looking very fluffy compared to their new siblings, so we will be moving them into a new home called a 'brooder' tomorrow.
Day 5
This morning we were excited to see that one more chick had hatched and the final egg was wobbling with signs of a 'crack' and an 'egg tooth' peeping out. Lots of the chicks were looking active and ready for a bit more space so 8 moved into their new home, the 'brooder', whilst the youngest two remained in the incubator a little longer. When we opened the incubator to move the chicks the temperature went down so we kept an eye until it reached back up to 37.7 degrees, the right temperature again for the chicks left in there.
To keep the chicks happy and healthy, in the brooder there is a bowl of food and water. The floor is also covered in newspaper and sawdust and there is lamp built into the home on one side. It took the chicks a little bit of time to learn and understand where their food and water was, but our regular 'chick watchers' in Reception were pleased when they started to see them pecking around and eating (and even starting to wee and poo!). One chick in particular continued to mostly enjoy sitting in the food bowl however!! We learnt that you can tell if the brooder is the correct temperature as the chicks will move away from the lamp if it is too hot and huddle under it if they want some warmth. Our chicks mostly enjoyed resting under the lamp today, but enjoyed exploring the whole area together too! They're growing up fast!!
When the chicks are young, carers need to keep a watchful eye on them, to ensure they have enough food and water and the brooder is kept clean. Over the weekend, Miss Beck (our Year 1 teacher) is taking the chicks home to look after them.
Day 6 and 7
Over the weekend Miss Beck took both the incubator and the brooder home to look after the chicks. The 8 oldest chicks settled into their new home very quickly but were need of a big sleep after the journey! On Saturday and Sunday they enjoyed running around lots and seemed very happy looking to see how much food they could find around whilst also making a bit of a mess! They take comfort from each other and just like us rest a little at the end of each day when all is quiet - It's tiring work being a chick!
Our 2 youngest chicks needed a little more time and help to gain enough strength to move out into the brooder so kept each other company in the incubator. On Sunday morning the farmer collected them both to look after them in a less busy home! We're pleased to share that he was happy with the progress they'd made and is looking forwarding to them hopefully joining some other chicks in a larger home over the next few days.
Day 8 and 9
The chicks arrived back at school on Monday looking very active and much bigger - even after just a  couple of days! We have noticed how lots of feathers have start to grow now and the chicks are losing some of their 'down' (the soft fluffy covering they are born with). In the afternoon everyone was excited as we took the chicks out for their first 'run' in the tuff spot in the classroom. They were a little nervous initially, but then gathered confidence and some even started jumping on the side to explore further! Reception listened carefully to the instructions given to keep them safe and sat still and quiet so they wouldn't be too scared. We then took turns to hold the chicks, making sure that each chick was only cuddled by a few people so they wouldn't get too tired. We learnt that it was important to use a 'cupping' method to keep the chicks feeling safe and warm and everyone was very brave having a go!
Once they had been out for a while we knew they were ready to go back into the brooder as they started to huddle together to keep warm (they were missing their warm lamp!). Reception helped to put clean newspaper and sawdust into the brooder, then we topped up their food bowl and water before putting them back in. Everyone was ready for a rest after a busy afternoon!!
Day 10 and 11
Lots of children have been keen to have another cuddle with the chicks in the last couple of days, so we have taken it in turns in groups to do some 'chick care'. Lots of children have been very responsible giving them what they 'need' i.e. a clean brooder, food and fresh water as well as what we think they 'want' i.e. a bit of love! It is clear that the chicks feel very comfortable in the children's hands (and they are holding them carefully) as a couple have even started to fall asleep whilst being held! We have watched on intrigued as they have continued to grow each day and each group has written a super entry for our 'chick diary' to chart their progress.