The Secret Chicken Society by Judy Cox Page A

hatch.
    Put the eggs in the incubator as soon as they come. It takes twenty-one days for chicken eggs to hatch. Check the temperature and humidity twice a day and record them in your egg journal.
    Candling. After eight to twelve days of incubation, you can “candle” the eggs to see the embryo. Hold the egg up to a flashlight or projector light. At first it just looks like a dark spot, but later you will see the heart beat. Cool!

    Hatching. The eggs will start to hatch in twenty-one days. You will hear a little tapping noise and see the egg rocking back and forth. Then the beak pokes out. This is called pipping. Lower theincubator temperature to 95 degrees. Lift the lid occasionally to let moisture out so the chicks can dry.
    Brooder. A brooder is a structure for keeping chicks safe and warm. You can buy one, or make one out of a cardboard box. Move chicks to the brooder as soon as they are dry. The brooder should have a heat lamp. Cover the floor with straw or moss. The chicks don’t need any food or water for a while, and then you can put in food trays and a water dish.
    Giving the chicks a good home. Plan for where the chicks will live after the three weeks are up. They must not ever be released into the wild. A good home provides shelter, food, water, fresh air, exercise, and protection from predators. Never neglect, abuse, or abandon any animal.
    Vocabulary Words You Need to Know:
    Albumen—the white part inside the egg
Embryo—the unborn chick
Membrane—the thin covering inside the eggshell
Pipping—when the chick’s beak pokes through the shell
Yolk—the yellow part inside the egg