Hatching Hub Issue # 2

Hatching Hub Issue #2

The end of the year is fast approaching and there is so much to report since our first issue in June! This issue includes how the duck and chooks have been, adopting opportunities, our plan over the Summer holidays and what is to come in 2017!

Nine Chooks & a Duck
It's been a full house/mixed bag over in the chicken coop since their hatching earlier in the year. While not all our friends were hatched here at MPPS, they have all called MPPS home. Using our own incubator we successfully hatched a duck and much to the annoyance of our neighbours, what turned out to be a rooster. Additionally, we received 3 chickens as a donation from the White family and 4 from a local hatchery. Besides the rooster, we had 7 chickens and 1 duck laying eggs which were used in the Kids Cafe. 

 

 

Many students from across the levels assisted with the care of the chooks and collection of eggs. Special thanks needs to go Ella M & Ella Ma. of Grade 5 for their commitment to keep the coop clean each week and their care of the chooks. Also a big thank you to Angus, Hannah and Baylin of Grade 4 for also giving up some of their time to ensure our feathered friends were clean and fed!

Sadly for some, yet excitedly for others, we had to farewell the rooster a few weeks ago. After months of speculating the sex of the rooster, his vocal box kicked in and we heard him cock-a-doodle-doo at all hours of the day. Roosters cannot be kept in residential areas so he was given to a breeder in Somerville.

Summer Holidays
Due to the absence of staff, students and the unpredictable weather over the holidays, our feathered friends are going to new forever homes or having their own holiday at Miss Arentz's Dad's farm.

Duck - has a new home on a farm with other ducks.
Rooster - has a new home with a breeder.
3 ISA Brown Chickens - holiday with Mr Arentz until Term 1 2017.

Adopting Opportunities
Similar to last year, we are offering 4 of our beautiful chooks to members of the school community to take home and keep as their own. They will be given in pairs on the proviso that they will be loved, cared for and not become a meal! If you are interested, please see Miss Oates before the end of term.

What's Happening in 2017?
As we are lucky enough to have our own incubator here at MPPS, in Term 1 2017 we will begin the whole hatching program again. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for students to learn about life cycles and the importance of caring for living things. The 3 ISA brown chickens will also return and continue laying. 

How many can we hatch next year? Stay tuned for the next issue!