Every few years I do an embryology project with my kids. This year, I really only had one child to do the project with -- Joshua -- and I wasn't sure he was really on board with me. I actually cancelled my 'reservation' for the incubator, and when he found out, he practically begged me to reconsider. So, being a softie, I went to the 4H office and picked up our supplies, including 30 eggs.
For the past three weeks, Joshua and I have faithfully recorded the temperature and turned the eggs two or three times a day. We built a brooder box from a cardboard moving box with a window cut out, covered in Saran Wrap. A desk lamp keeps the box warm with the spot under the lamp a cozy 95 degrees. On Monday, we heard the first 'peeps' coming from one of the eggs, and a few hours later, the first little chick hatched. He (or she -- who knows!) spent the rest of the day peeping and hatching, and finally 48 hours later, we had a total of 26 little chicks.
Later today or tomorrow, they will all go to their new home...a nearby farm where they can be chickens and lay eggs......
