Castlemaine Library is hatching chickens!

As part of the library’s science programming, Castlemaine Library will be hatching chickens, and we invite you to come and join in lots of chicken-themed fun!

With funding from Victorian Science Week, Goldfields Libraries were able to purchase an incubator and brooder. As part of the Eggs Alive! project, fertilised chicken eggs will be placed in the see-through incubator until they hatch. The newly hatched chicks will then be moved to a brooder where they will be kept warm by a heat lamp, and they will live at the library for few weeks following.

The project is a great way for children to come and learn about the scientific aspects of the life cycle of chickens. As well as observing the chicks hatching, eating and sleeping, there will also be the opportunity to hold and play with them.

“The hatching will be filmed and shown on a loop in the library, so if you miss the magic in person, you can still pop in and watch it,” says Jess Saunders, Castlemaine Library Manager. “There will also be plenty of up-to-the-minute updates on our Facebook page.”

The chicken are timed to hatch during the first week of the Spring school holidays, around Monday 24 September. There will be some great chicken-and-egg themed school holiday activities planned for this time, so make sure you check out our holiday program on the website at www.goldfieldslibraries.com

The chickens will be living at the Library throughout the school holidays, from 24 September until 5 October. Anyone wanting to adopt a chicken after that date is most welcome to come and talk to us!

To find out more information please go to www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au or follow Castlemaine Library on Facebook www.facebook.com/castlemainelibrary