As your local animal welfare charity, Raystede is trying to raise awareness about the problems with hatching projects and encourage schools to use other ways of teaching life cycles.
Whilst well-meaning, hatching projects often result in unwanted cockerels, hens and ducks. When the project is finished, they often come to rescue centres like Raystede for rehoming.
You may be aware that there is currently a UK-wide Avian Flu Prevention Zone in place which means that rehoming of birds is especially difficult as any new home would have to be ready to comply with all Government provisions. Cockerels are particularly difficult to rehome as many people want birds that lay, are worried about the noise that cockerels make, and are concerned they may not be able to live with other birds.
Naturally, we try to help with such birds whenever we can but we would like to encourage schools to refrain from using live animals for projects like these as it is not good for their welfare.
We have lots of suggestions for activities that can be done in classrooms that teach life cycles without the need to carry out a hatching project.
As an example, these kits are amazing for teaching chick development:
Naturally, we try to help with such birds whenever we can but we would like to encourage schools to refrain from using live animals for projects like these as it is not good for their welfare.
We have lots of suggestions for activities that can be done in classrooms that teach life cycles without the need to carry out a hatching project.
As an example, these kits are amazing for teaching chick development:
Our Education Team would also be very glad to visit your school and run a life cycles session for free. Please contact us via email or phone number below if you would like to do this.
Email: education@raystede.org or telephone: 01825 880461