For
the past 18 days, the AP Biology students have been diligently caring for
fertilized chicken eggs. Mr. Terran
Hornerkamp donated 12 chicken eggs to be incubated and studied. The gestation period for baby chicks is 21
days.
Ten days into development, the class
broke through an egg shell using a Dremmel drill. The baby chick had fully developed organs but
a soft beak and feet with no talons. The
chick even had the beginnings of short dark feathers along its dorsal
side.
At 17 days, the class broke through
another egg shell and found a very well developed and still partially alive
chick. The baby responded to mechanical
stimuli and could move wings, legs, head, and beak. The umbilical cord was easily noticeable and
its’ head and eyes seemed proportionate with its body size. Additionally, the feet were scaled and
complete with talons. The chick had a
full coat of dark feathers. Stop by the
biology room to see the 17 day embryo in a jar.
The estimated arrival date for the baby
chicks to hatch is Friday, March 23rd. See
pictures below!!!!
