Hatching Chicks at Eden Early Years
We’ve had an exciting time at Eden Early Years as we incubate and hatch our very own chicks! This hands-on experience has been a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about the life cycle of a chicken, from egg to fluffy chick, all while building their understanding of nature and animal care.
To prepare for the arrival of our feathered friends, we used a special piece of equipment called an incubator, which keeps the eggs warm and maintains the perfect humidity level to support healthy development. Chickens typically take 21 days to hatch, so our children had been counting down the days and watching closely for signs of change…until two of them finally hatched!
Egg Visits
The children took turns in small groups to visit the eggs in the incubator and observe their progress. They learned just how delicate the hatching process is and why it’s important to be gentle and quiet around the incubator. There was a lot of curiosity, and the children were particularly intrigued by one egg that was a different colour, noticing it was blue.
This sparked a lovely discussion about why eggs can come in different colours. One child even wondered if they might be dinosaur eggs, before then deciding, they were probably a bit too small for that!
Did you know that chicks are able to chirp whilst inside their eggs? Our second chick chirped for hours before she finally emerged from her shell!
Hatching Time
After two of our chicks hatched, we gently moved them into a cosy brooder box, complete with a heat lamp, sawdust bedding, and fresh food and water. Once they had time to adjust and warm up after their big journey out of their shells, the chicks became fluffy and full of life.
The children were then invited upstairs to our extra-curricular room, where they took turns visiting the chicks, quietly saying hello, and observing them up close.
Exploring the World of Chickens – Trips to the Zoo and the Farm
To help the children connect with the chicks' journey, we’ve been heading out on some exciting trips! We have had multiple trips to The Bristol Zoo Project and Lawrence Weston Farm, where the children saw real chickens up close and learned about how they live, what they eat, and how they lay eggs.
These trips also tied in beautifully with Easter – giving the children a deeper understanding of where the symbolism of eggs and chicks comes from during this season. The children loved spotting different breeds of chickens, asking questions about their eggs, and seeing how they are cared for.
Holding the Chicks
Back at nursery, the highlight for many of our children has been meeting the chicks! With gentle hands, they’ve been able to hold the chicks, feeling their feathers and looking at their wings.
These moments have been lovely; not only are they packed with sensory learning, but they also help develop empathy, care, and confidence in interacting with living things. The children have been fascinated by how quickly the chicks are growing, and we’ve been learning about the changes they go through as they develop.
Chicken-Themed Learning in the Classroom
Inside the classroom, we’ve been extending the experience through a variety of hands-on learning activities. The children have enjoyed themed crafts, storytelling sessions all about chickens, and engaging, interactive tasks. They even fed their own paper chickens using pipe cleaners as ‘worms’ and lentils as ‘chicken crumb’, exploring how to feed and care for real chicks in a fun, imaginative way.
Sensory Play on the Baby Floor – Chick-Themed Exploration
Our youngest children have also been getting involved in the chick-inspired fun through a variety of sensory play experiences on the baby floor. We have had special sensory trays filled with wooden eggs, soft feathers, shredded paper, and natural textures for little hands to explore.
We have also shared lovely Easter-themed storybooks like “Chicks”, which introduces simple language and bright visuals, which is perfect for capturing the attention of our littlest learners.
A Spring To Remember
Welcoming our chicks has brought so much joy to the nursery, and we’re so proud of how curious, gentle, and enthusiastic the children have been. It’s been a perfect way to celebrate spring and Easter!
