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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Jefferson County Farm Bureau, ISU Extension put on Chicks in the Classroom
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Jefferson County Farm Bureau and Jefferson County ISU Extension and Outreach collaborate annually to bring the Chicks in the Classroom program to kindergarten and first-grade students.
Teachers from the Fairfield and Pekin school districts have the option to set up incubators with eggs in their classrooms. This year, five teachers from Pekin, nine from Fairfield, and one homeschool educator participated in the program.
Jefferson County Farm Bureau Outreach Coordinator Hailey Shultz, Jefferson County Extension Director Courtney Burkhalter, and County Youth Coordinator Abby Dingman teamed up to provide lessons and supplies for all involved teachers and students.
Beginning on March 28, each participating classroom received three weeks of engaging, age-appropriate lessons about chickens, along with seven eggs in an incubator to observe as they hatch. During this time, we visited the classrooms on two occasions to candle the eggs. This process allowed us to check for developing chicks inside the eggs, giving students an exciting view of their growth.
The chicks typically take about 21 days to hatch, meaning they were expected to arrive around April 21 to the 24. At the end of April, we collected the chicks from each classroom. Jefferson County 4-H and Clover Kid members had the opportunity to sign up to receive the chicks after they hatched.
The distribution occurred on April 26 during Sheep and Goat Weigh-In, enabling them to show the chicks at the Jefferson County Fair from June 23-30.
