4-H Embryology 4-H School Enrichment Project

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4-H Embryology4-H School Enrichment Project

• Lori Wiggins, Extension Agent III
• Taylor County Extension Service/ University of
  Florida

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4-H Embryology4-H School Enrichment Project

• EGG-SPLORE the science of embryology from egg to
  chicken. The "4-H Embryology" project will
  enable youth to apply basic principles of
  mathematics, science, English, and health through
  a "learn by doing" experience.

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4-H Embryology4-H School Enrichment Project

• Youth will learn by listening, observing,
  experimenting, and applying their knowledge to a
  real-world situation.
• Youth will develop an understanding of biological
  concepts through direct experiences with living
  things, their life cycles and their habitats.
• Youth learn valuable life skills related to
  sciences processes, teamwork, record keeping,
  planning and organizing.

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4-H Embryology4-H School Enrichment Project

• The objectives of the program are to teach
  students
• to identify parts of an egg and explain their
  functions.
• to learn how to make observations and record
  them.
• to observe and learn about the stages of
  embryonic development of a chick.
• to provide proper post-hatch care of the chicks.
• to develop a greater appreciation for animal
  life.
• to learn about other opportunities available in
  4-H.

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About the Project

• Hands-on, Science Project
• Correlated with National Science Standards
• Extension provides educational resources for the
  project
• Teacher Resource s with activity masters
• 4-H CCS Classroom Project Book grades 2-5 6-8
• Informational powerpoint and support
• WWW Sites for activities and resources

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http//ulisse.cas.psu.edu/4hembryo/index.html

• What You Need to Know to Have a Successful
  Project
• Planning and Scheduling Checklist
• The Chicken
• The Egg
• The Reproductive System and Fertilization
• Incubation
• Trouble Shooting
• Embryo Development
• Answers to Commonly Asked Embryology Questions

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Web site support

• http//florida4h.org/embryology/
• http//ulisse.cas.psu.edu/4hembryo/index.html
• http//www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/eggs/
• The 4-H Virtual Farm
• http//www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/virtualfarm/pou
  ltry/poultry.html

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Project Expectations

• Actively involve youth
• Agent Candles Eggs at mid project
• Keep Records
• Help youth observe embryonic development

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How do I Successfully Hatch Eggs?

• Proper Preparation and Planning
• Quality Fertile Eggs
• Student Buy In
• Good Incubation Management
• Patience

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PREPARATION AND PLANNING

• Choosing a workable time frame
• 25 day time period
• Avoid holidays
• Electric turner to manage consistent egg turning
  or plan for weekend turning.
• The middle of the week is usually a good day to
  start eggs

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INCUBATION MANAGEMENT

• These steps provided by 4-H Agent in preparation
  for your successful project
• Clean incubator
• Setup and test incubator a week before project to
  begin (at least 2 days)
• Viable, Fertile Eggs provided by Extension
  Service

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CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

• Incubator location?
• Avoid drafts, direct sunlight, heat AC outlets.
• Place in wet area to ease in humidity
  maintenance and clean up from accidental
  overfilling.

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Quality Fertile Eggs

• Proper Collection and Storage
• 50-65 Degrees F.
• 70 Humidity
• 7 days Maximum
• Critical Storage Temp.
• 35-82 deg

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Preparation and Planning

• Inform coworkers and custodial staff to avoid
  accidental unplugging of equipment after hours
• Planned Power Outages?
• Lower/higher school temps on weekends? Check with
  Administration

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Preparation and Planning

• What happens to the chicks?
• You will keep the chicks for at least a week to
  experience the brooding process.

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Chicken and Egg Basics
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EGG STRUCTURES
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Function of Embryonic Membranes

• Yolk Sac
• Food
• Amnion
• Protection
• Liquid
• Chorion / Allantois
• Respiration
• Waste
• Minerals from shell

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Start Up Day

• Presentation by Extension Educator - 4-H Youth
  Development
• Beginning the incubation Process
• Key Elements for Success
• Special Properties of the egg
• Incubator needs to warm up one day prior to eggs
  being put in

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An Incubator
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Candling eggs prior to incubation
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The Importance of Egg Turning

• The incubator will be equipped with an Electric
  Turner
• Mark eggs with X and O on opposite side of
  eggs just to be sure the turner is working
  properly and turning the eggs
• Turning prevents embryo sticking to shell
  membrane
• During school days eggs will turn about 3 time
  per day
• You will need to remove the turner from the
  incubator on day 19

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Convenience of Electric Turner

• Automatic Turner does the job for you. No need
  to manually turn eggs.
• Check to be sure turner stays plugged in and it
  is turning the eggs.
• Remove Electric Egg Turner on Day 19.

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Incubation Management

• Temperature
• 99.5 - 100.5 forced Air (Dome Type)
• 100.5 - 101.5 Still Air (Box Type) Incubator is
  provided by Extension Service
• Humidity
• 60
• Wet Bulb Thermometer 86 degrees

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Maintaining Humidity

• Incubator contains water pan
• Importance for chick health
• Prevent sticking to shell
• Keeps amnion fluid
• Keeps shell from hardening, trapping chick at
  hatching
• Prevent crippled chicks

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At Mid Point

• Extension Agent will visit your classroom to
  Candling Eggs at day 14 in order to remove
  nonfertilized eggs.

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Concentrate to the Finish

• Day 19 Remove Electric Turner
• No need to turn eggs after this
• Open Air Vents blocked by tape or red plugs
• Humidity remains even more critical. Keep water
  levels consistent
• Keep Records of Hatching Statistics

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Hatching Time

• Hatching Begins Day 21 give or take 3 days
• Impacted by Light and Temperature
• May take Several Hours for Chick to Exit Shell
• Dont help Chicks Hatch -- Struggle Necessary for
  Survival

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Chicks in varying stages of hatching and drying
in incubator.
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And Then?

• Chicks remain in incubator until dry and fluffy.
• May take several hours to dry
• Once dry and fluffy place in brooder
• Provide chick mash and waterer - provided by
  Extension Office

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Whats A BROODER?

• Pen for chicks
• Absorbent bedding i.e. saw dust, newspaper, etc
  will be needed for flooring
• Shop light will be hung low to warm chicks

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KEEP BROODER CLEAN

• Change out daily (several times a day- students
  can help)
• Bedding (newspaper-to line brooder)
• Water
• Food

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Safety First

• Check to be sure Light is Fire Safe
• Should not Touch Brooder Surface
• Marbles placed in Tray of Purchased Chicken
  Waterer Block Chicks from drowning in water

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Project End

• 4-H Agent will Retrieve Chicks and Transport to
  Farm Home.
• Chicks can be adopted to families of students.
• Success in Experiencing Science through this
  project not Chick Count.

Dont forget to clean your incubator before
returning
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• Contact Me To Schedule Your School Enrichment
  Embryology Experience
• Lori Wiggins
• Extension Agent III
• Taylor County
• 203 Forest Park Drive
• Perry, FL 32348
• 850-838-3508
• lwiggins_at_ufl.edu
• http//taylor.ifas.ufl.edu