One of the most special parts of having school chickens is watching their journey right from the very beginning. Our pupils were able to see, first-hand, how life develops and changes over time — something that textbooks simply cannot replace.

The Beginning – Hatching Day

The journey started with our eggs in the incubator. Our pupils learnt how eggs need warmth, careful turning and time to develop. When hatching day arrived, it was very exciting. Our chicks began by “pipping” — making tiny cracks in the shell — before slowly pushing their way out into the world.

Seeing our chicks emerge from their eggs helped our pupils understand life cycles, patience and how fragile new life can be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fluffy Stage – Early Chick Life

Once hatched, our chicks quickly became soft and fluffy, but were still very small. At this stage they needed warmth, clean bedding, fresh water and specialist chick feed.

During this stage, our pupils helped with supervised handling. Our chicks soon became used to people, which helped them grow into calm, friendly hens who are comfortable around pupils.

Growing Stronger – Exploring and Learning

As our chicks grew, they developed feathers and became more confident moving around their enclosure. Our pupils were able to see how quickly animals change and grow in the first few weeks of life.

This stage linked strongly to our science learning about growth, nutrition and animal development.

 

 

 

Once ready, our chickens moved into their outdoor space alongside our school goats. They share their environment peacefully and are used to each other’s presence.

This helped our pupils learn about:
• Different animals sharing habitats
• How farmers and animal keepers manage mixed animal spaces
• Respecting animals’ space and behaviour

Life as Our School Chickens

As adult hens, our chickens now:
• Lay free-range eggs used in our Design and Technology cooking lessons
• Provide eggs that we share weekly with different Year 6 families
• Help our pupils learn about food sources and sustainability
• Enjoy gentle handling and attention from pupils and staff

They are a much-loved part of daily life at Nelson and have even appeared in some of our fun school social media videos.

Why This Journey Matters for Our Pupils

Watching our chickens grow from egg to adult helps our pupils understand:
• Life cycles and change over time
• Responsibility and animal care
• Where food comes from
• The importance of kindness and respect for living things

Most importantly, it creates memorable learning experiences that stay with our pupils long after they leave primary school.