# data[].attributes.headline
Ms. Scanlon & Ms. Sheil are hatching chicks this year in 1st class! 

# data[].attributes.subject
Ms. Scanlon & Ms. Sheil are hatching chicks this year in 1st class! 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hatching Eggs - Chicks / Chickens - Time lapse Video

# data[].attributes.headline
Ms. Scanlon & Ms. Sheil got 11 eggs each to put in our incubators  🥚🐣

# data[].attributes.subject
Ms. Scanlon & Ms. Sheil got 11 eggs each to put in our incubators  🥚🐣

# data[].attributes.headline
Ms. Scanlon collected the eggs from a farm in Kildare and here are some pictures of the hens & roosters that live there 🐥👌 

# data[].attributes.subject
Ms. Scanlon collected the eggs from a farm in Kildare and here are some pictures of the hens & roosters that live there 🐥👌 

# data[].attributes.headline
Here is a hen sitting in a nest on her eggs ❤️🐣

# data[].attributes.subject
Here is a hen sitting in a nest on her eggs ❤️🐣

# data[].attributes.headline
Ms. Scanlon placed her eggs in the incubator on Tuesday, the 11th of March. The chicks will hatch hopefully in 21 days (31st of March) ❤️🍀

# data[].attributes.subject
Ms. Scanlon placed her eggs in the incubator on Tuesday, the 11th of March. The chicks will hatch hopefully in 21 days (31st of March) ❤️🍀

# data[].attributes.body
Egg candling is shining a bright and focused beam of light through the egg shells to check the development of the eggs.

# data[].attributes.headline
Can you see the chicks development in the following pictures? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Can you see the chicks development in the following pictures? 

# data[].attributes.body
Fun Facts

The white part down the bottom of the egg is the air sac, this is where our chick pips the shell (makes a hole with it's beak) and then begins to hatch from there.

The red lines are part of the blood supply and the dark part is our chick.

# data[].attributes.headline
Ms. Sheil also placed her eggs in the incubator❤️🍀

# data[].attributes.subject
Ms. Sheil also placed her eggs in the incubator❤️🍀

# data[].attributes.body
Ms. Scanlon's class can see that chicks are developing inside the egg shell 🥰

# data[].attributes.headline
Can you see the air sacs in these eggs? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Can you see the air sacs in these eggs? 

# data[].attributes.body
Egg candling helps us figure out which eggs we may need to remove if there is no chick developing inside the egg shell. We remove these eggs when we put our eggs into 'lockdown' approximately 3 days before the due hatch day (31st of March).

# data[].attributes.headline
What is lockdown & why do we do lockdown? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What is lockdown & why do we do lockdown? 

# data[].attributes.body
Lockdown means we stop opening the incubator and let the chicks get ready to hatch. It’s like when a baby chick gets tucked in before a big day!

Why Do We Do Lockdown?

1. No More Egg Turning – The chicks are getting into their hatching position, so we stop turning the eggs.

2. More Humidity – We add extra water to the incubator to keep the air moist. This helps soften the eggshell so chicks can hatch easily.

3. Chicks Need to Rest – They are practicing their breathing and absorbing the last bit of yolk inside the egg for energy.

What Happens Next?

After lockdown, the chicks will start pecking their way out! You might hear little peeping sounds from inside the eggs before they hatch.

Important Rule: No opening the incubator during lockdown! The chicks need the warm, humid air to hatch safely.

Are you excited to hear the first little peeps?

# data[].attributes.headline
This is an example of eggs that Ms. Scanlon may need to remove before lockdown begins (3 days before hatch day) where there looks like there is no chick developing. Can you describe what differences you can see?

# data[].attributes.subject
This is an example of eggs that Ms. Scanlon may need to remove before lockdown begins (3 days before hatch day) where there looks like there is no chick developing. Can you describe what differences you can see?

# data[].attributes.body
Example 1

# data[].attributes.body
Example 2

# data[].attributes.body
Example 3

# data[].attributes.headline
Tune in for some more egg candling videos. Hopefully next week, Ms. Scanlon might see the chicks move inside the eggs...🥚😍🙏

# data[].attributes.subject
Tune in for some more egg candling videos. Hopefully next week, Ms. Scanlon might see the chicks move inside the eggs...🥚😍🙏

# data[].attributes.headline
Day 14- Candling videos- Watch really closely & can you see the chicks moving inside the egg shell?

# data[].attributes.subject
Day 14- Candling videos- Watch really closely & can you see the chicks moving inside the egg shell?

# data[].attributes.body
We put 11 eggs into the incubator.  The incubator needs to stay at 38 degrees Celsius.  It’s important that the eggs stay warm and that the lid is tightly shut.

# data[].attributes.body
Every day we put 100ml of water into the incubator to keep the eggs moist so the eggs don’t get dry.  If the eggs are dry, they might crack.  Also, the embryo might stick to the shell.

The incubator has a wheel that slowly moves the eggs during the day.  This stops the embryo from sticking to the egg.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 11: We candled the eggs.  We used a special light called a ‘Candling Lamp’ that has a really strong, bright light.  We turned all the lights off so the classroom was as dark as possible.

# data[].attributes.body
We put each egg on the light so we could see inside.  We were looking for veins, the chick’s heart, a shadow, and the air sac.

If the eggs have none of these, they will not hatch.

When we candled our 11 eggs, it looked like 5 might be strong enough to hatch.

# data[].attributes.body
We candled our eggs again.  We saw bigger shadows and more veins than Day 11.  3 eggs have no sign of any veins.

# data[].attributes.body
Some of them are very bright when you shine the light under them.  This is not a good sign, unfortunately.  We will check our eggs in another few days.

# data[].attributes.body
On Day 14 of incubating chicken eggs, the chicks inside are well-developed and getting closer to hatching! Here are some key facts about this stage:

1. Feathers Developing – The chick's feathers continue growing, giving it more of a fuzzy appearance.

2. Strong Bones – The bones are hardening and the chick is getting stronger.

3. Beak Growth – The beak is nearly fully formed and the egg tooth (a small bump used to break the shell) is visible.

4. More Movement – Chicks may start shifting position inside the egg as they prepare for the final days of development.

5. Larger Size – The embryo takes up most of the space inside the egg, leaving little room for movement.

6. Veins Start to Fade – The blood vessels inside the egg begin to shrink as the chick prepares for hatching.

7. Egg Candling – In the previous videos as I shined a light though the egg shell, we can see a dark shape moving inside, with a visible air sac at the bottom.

# data[].attributes.headline
The farmer and his wife gave us two extra lucky green eggs. Here are some fun facts about green eggs: 

# data[].attributes.subject
The farmer and his wife gave us two extra lucky green eggs. Here are some fun facts about green eggs: 

# data[].attributes.body
1. Magical Hens Lay Them! – Some special chickens, like Cream legbar hens in Ireland lay green eggs naturally. Most of our eggs have come from Buff Orpington hens.

2. No Paint Needed! – The green colour comes from a natural pigment inside the hen, not from dye or magic!

3. A Sign of Good Luck – Green is the colour of Ireland, shamrocks, and good luck, so green eggs are extra special.

4. They Taste the Same! – Even though they look different, green eggs taste just like white or brown eggs.

5. Leprechauns Might Approve! – If leprechauns had chickens, they would probably love green eggs!

6. Different Shades of Green – Some eggs are light green like a shamrock, while others are dark like an olive.

7. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! – Green eggs make a fun breakfast for celebrating Irish traditions!

Would you like to try green eggs and ham like in the famous Dr. Seuss book?

# data[].attributes.headline
Can we hatch eggs from a supermarket in an incubator? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Can we hatch eggs from a supermarket in an incubator? 

# data[].attributes.body
When we buy eggs from a shop, they won’t hatch if we put them in an incubator. Here’s why:

1. They Haven’t Been Fertilised – For a chick to grow inside an egg, the egg must come from a farm where a rooster (a daddy chicken) lives with the hens. Most eggs in shops come from farms where there are only hens, so the eggs are never fertilised.

2. They’ve Been Kept Cold – Even if an egg was fertilised, shop eggs are usually kept in a fridge, which stops any chance of a chick growing. Fertilised eggs need to be kept warm for 21 days in an incubator or under a mother hen.

3. They Might Have Protective Coatings – Some eggs are washed or treated before being sold, which removes the natural coating that helps an egg stay fresh. This can also stop a chick from developing.

So, if you want to hatch eggs, you need fertilised eggs from a farm, not the ones from the shop!

# data[].attributes.body
An incubator is a special machine that helps eggs hatch into baby chicks by keeping them warm and safe, just like a mother hen would!

Here’s how it works:

1. Keeps the Eggs Warm – Chicks need the right temperature to grow inside the egg. The incubator keeps the eggs at around 37.5°C (99.5°F)—just like a hen’s body!

2. Adds Moisture (Humidity) – Inside the egg, the chick needs moisture to grow properly. The incubator has water inside (100ml added every day) to keep the air humid so the egg doesn’t dry out.

3. Turns the Eggs – A mother hen gently turns her eggs with her beak so the chick doesn’t stick to the inside of the shell. Many incubators have a turning feature that moves the eggs slowly (like we have), just like a hen would!

4. Takes 21 Days – After three weeks in the incubator, the chick is ready to hatch! It pecks a little hole in the shell using its tiny egg tooth and then slowly breaks free!

An incubator is like a warm, safe nest that helps eggs hatch when there’s no mother hen around.

# data[].attributes.body
Before the Chicks Hatch:

1. How does a mother hen take care of her eggs?

2. Why can't we use eggs from a supermarket?

3. Can you tell me one lucky green egg fact? (1 Extra point if you can give 2 facts)?

4. How long do you think it takes for a chick to hatch?

5. Why do we need an incubator instead of letting the eggs sit in the classroom?

6. What does lockdown mean in chick hatching?

7. How many ml of water do we put in the incubator every day?

8. Why is it important to put water in the incubator?

9. What does the chick have on the end of it's little beak to help break the shell of the egg when beginning to hatch?

10. What is egg candling?

# data[].attributes.headline
Day 16- Egg Candling- Can you spot the chicks moving in these following videos? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Day 16- Egg Candling- Can you spot the chicks moving in these following videos? 

# data[].attributes.body
On Day 16, the baby chicks inside the eggs are almost ready to hatch! Here are some fun facts:

1. The Chick is Big Now! – By Day 16, the chick takes up almost the whole egg with very little space left to move.

2. Strong Bones and Feathers – The chick’s bones are getting stronger and its soft fluffy feathers are growing.

3. Breathing Practice – The chick is practicing breathing by taking in oxygen through the air sac inside the egg.

4. Getting Into Position – The chick turns its head towards the air sac at the large end of the egg, getting ready to hatch.

5. Beak and Egg Tooth Ready! – The chick’s beak is strong, and its egg tooth (a tiny bump on the beak) is ready to help it break the shell.

6. Less Movement – Since there’s not much space left, the chick doesn’t move as much as before.

7. Almost Lockdown Time! – In just two more days on Friday, we will stop turning the eggs and start lockdown to get ready for hatching!

The big day is getting close! What do you think the first chick will look like when it hatches?

# data[].attributes.headline
Today is day 18 and it's time to put the chicks into lockdown! They are getting ready to hatch very soon! 🐣🤞❤️🙏

# data[].attributes.subject
Today is day 18 and it's time to put the chicks into lockdown! They are getting ready to hatch very soon! 🐣🤞❤️🙏

# data[].attributes.body
Wow! The baby chick is almost ready to hatch! Here’s what’s happening inside the egg:

The chick is fully formed and getting into the right position to break out.

It tucks its head under its wing and points its little beak toward the air bubble inside the egg.

It starts breathing a little air from the air bubble!

The chick is still getting food from the yolk, which it’s almost done absorbing.

The tiny blood vessels inside the egg start to disappear, so the chick can get ready to breathe outside the egg.

It's almost time! In just a few days, the chick will peck through the shell and say hello to the world!

# data[].attributes.headline
Final candling videos- Can you spot the eggs move? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Final candling videos- Can you spot the eggs move? 

# data[].attributes.headline
Ms. Scanlon placed her healthy eggs in lockdown, keeping them warm and safe as the baby chicks get ready to hatch!

# data[].attributes.subject
Ms. Scanlon placed her healthy eggs in lockdown, keeping them warm and safe as the baby chicks get ready to hatch!

# data[].attributes.body
Lockdown for chick eggs on day 18 means we stop opening the incubator and let the chicks finish growing inside their eggs. We take the tray out so the eggs aren’t turned anymore, as the chicks need to stay in the right position to hatch.

We also remove any eggs that aren’t good or don’t have chicks inside, so the healthy eggs can hatch safely.

The chicks are getting ready to hatch, so they need to be safe and warm without being disturbed.

They’ll stay in lockdown for the next few days until they start to pip (make a little hole) and finally hatch!

# data[].attributes.headline
We have the chicks' new home ready! Our yellow heat plate acts like a mother hen, keeping the chicks nice and warm when they arrive.

# data[].attributes.subject
We have the chicks' new home ready! Our yellow heat plate acts like a mother hen, keeping the chicks nice and warm when they arrive.

# data[].attributes.headline
We can't wait to see what will happen on Monday! ❤️

# data[].attributes.subject
We can't wait to see what will happen on Monday! ❤️

# data[].attributes.headline
Our chicks will eat 'Chick Starter Crumb' to help them grow big and strong! We put wood shavings on the floor of their new home to keep it soft and cosy for their little feet.

# data[].attributes.subject
Our chicks will eat 'Chick Starter Crumb' to help them grow big and strong! We put wood shavings on the floor of their new home to keep it soft and cosy for their little feet.

# data[].attributes.headline
Ms. Scanlon is waiting on her chicks to hatch! 🐣🥰 Can you see any pips (little cracks or holes) in the eggs? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Ms. Scanlon is waiting on her chicks to hatch! 🐣🥰 Can you see any pips (little cracks or holes) in the eggs? 

# data[].attributes.body
Pips are the tiny holes that a baby chick makes in the eggshell when it starts to hatch!

The first hole the chick makes is called the external pip, which happens when the chick breaks through the inner membrane and the shell using its special egg tooth (a small, sharp bump on its beak).

After pipping, the chick rests before it starts zipping, which is when it cracks the shell all the way around and finally pushes its way out!

# data[].attributes.body
On Day 21, the baby chick is ready to hatch!

Here are some fun facts about what happens:

1. The chick breaks the shell! – The baby chick uses a special egg tooth on its beak to peck through the shell. This is called pipping.

2. It takes time! – Hatching can take up to 24 hours because the chick rests between pecks.

3. The chick breathes air! – Before breaking out, the chick starts breathing through its lungs for the first time.

4. The wet chick dries off! – When the chick finally escapes, it looks wet and tired. After a few hours, it dries into a soft, fluffy ball!

5. No more egg tooth! – The tiny egg tooth falls off after a few days because the chick doesn’t need it anymore.

After hatching, the baby chick rests, eats, and grows stronger before exploring the world!