Hatching Chicks For JJ Flynn Elementary School

Day 4 update:

Today begins the tiny formations of all the internal organs of the eventual developed chick. This day also begins the formation of the structures of the mouth and tongue.

Have a look at this little video to see the tiny web of the heart and blood vessels to see the earliest view of a Flynn chick! See more updates and keep up with the daily growth at the 

JJ Flynn PTO Facebook page.

Spring is the time of the year that first grade students at JJ Flynn Elementary in Burlington hatch baby chicks in their classrooms. School closures have impacted access to so many cool things, but my family realized that this is one place that we could make a difference, since we already raise chickens as pets.

Boo!

So, with the help of a new Hovabator Incubator and the generous donation of thirteen Lavender Orpington eggs from our friend farmer Pat Barberi of Heritage Hens Homestead in Berlin, Vermont, we proudly introduce the first day of incubation of the Flynn eggs!  

We will post a daily update on the JJ Flynn PTO Facebook page, with that day's news and embryonic stage. These little eggs are being kept at a cozy 99.5-100.5 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Below is the 21 day development cycle, and they should be hatching on April 29!

In the last few years, all of our hens have come from Pat's farm, where her hens are raised cage-free, free-range, and free of hormones and antibiotics. Chickens are much smarter than most people believe, and come running for treats just like puppies.

We will be having a naming contest for the chicks!  Flynn students can submit their suggestions, and we will hold a vote to choose the most popular ones!