Larne Elementary students learn the life cycle by hatching chicks

The Larne Elementary School (LES) third graders in Ms. Shealy’s, Mrs. Sanders’, and Mrs. Jackson’s classes hatched chicks for the third year in a row. Given the eggs from the Clemson Extension 4H office, the 80 third graders kept “…the eggs in incubators for the incubation period of 21 days.” according to Karla Sanders, LES teacher.
During the incubation period the students shine lights on the eggs to watch the development of the chicks inside. This allows the students to study and compare life cycles. The students also studied other animals through research. Sanders goes on to say, “We also were able to observe 1 week quail this year, because we only had 1 egg hatch out of our 36 eggs. This was the lowest hatch rate we have ever had.” Thanks, to the Clemson Extension Office they got to compare quail to chickens during development.
The students in all three third grade classes helped with the raising of the chicks by keeping them watered and fed. They also enjoyed holding and interacting with the chicks.