EGG-citing News...
- emily29939
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Our school family is growing!
Late last week, our newest additions were delivered:
12 eggs that will soon hatch into unbelievably adorable chicks.
Our 12 eggs come from four different breeds, all intentionally selected! Some are visually unique, some will lay colorful eggs, and some are miniature breeds. All are known for being super friendly and docile, which means we’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy their company.
From left to right, our first column of eggs are Bantam Mottled Cochins, second are Buff Orpingtons, third are Barred Plymouth Rocks, and lastly, our Olive Eggers. Each brings its own special qualities and we can’t wait to meet them!
Bantam Mottled Cochin / Buff Orpington / Barred Plymouth Rock / Olive Egger
“Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?”
This was the big question that kicked off our time together last week. After some lively philosophical debate, we decided that each person gets to have their own opinion (LOL).
No matter which came first, we agreed it was worth studying the eggs and learning how they develop. Not only is this fascinating, but it also helps us start bonding with our future flock.
We began with the life cycle of a chicken and talked about where eggs come from. The students learned that not all eggs are fertile—meaning not all eggs have the ability to grow into a chick. A rooster (male) must fertilize a hen (female) for an egg to develop into new life.
Once a fertilized egg is laid, the real work begins. In nature, the hen sits on her eggs, keeping them warm and carefully turning them to ensure the embryo grows evenly. In our case, we are acting as the mother hen! The children loved this idea and immediately took the responsibility seriously.
And that’s one of the many benefits of caring for animals at school—it teaches responsibility, empathy, patience, and respect for living things.
The students were very curious about what’s actually inside an egg, so we cracked open a store-bought one to investigate. While store eggs aren’t fertilized and therefore don’t have a germinal disk (the tiny spot where development begins), all the other parts are the same.
We learned about the incredible design of the egg and how every part plays a role in keeping the chick alive during its 21 days of growth:
Shell: Made mostly of calcium, it protects the chick while still allowing air and moisture to pass through tiny pores.
Shell membranes: Two thin layers just inside the shell that provide extra protection from bacteria.
Air cell: A small pocket of air that forms as the egg cools after being laid; the chick will breathe from this space right before hatching.
Albumen (egg white): Cushions the developing chick and provides water and protein.
Yolk: Packed with fats, proteins, and vitamins—it’s the chick’s main food source.
Chalazae: Little twisted cords of protein that keep the yolk (and growing embryo) suspended in the middle of the egg, like nature’s seatbelt!
The kids were amazed to realize that what seems like a simple egg is actually a complete survival kit, holding everything a chick needs to grow.
To better understand what’s happening inside our eggs, we explored a special material that shows the inside of the egg each day of development. The children compared it to an advent calendar for chicks—and that’s exactly what it feels like! Each “day” reveals another exciting stage of growth: from a tiny heartbeat to the first outline of wings and beak.
It really is a gift to watch life unfold before our eyes.
This week, we candled our eggs to check on embryo development. Candling is when you hold an egg up to a light to see inside without cracking it open. The students were amazed to spot the tiny embryo and veins spreading out.
We’ll candle again after fall break and are hoping to see some big changes!
It's incredible that these little eggs are teaching us so much even before they hatch. Stay tuned for more updates on this journey as we count down the days until our new feathered friends arrive!
-Ms. Emily
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