Students taking Grow Your Own Business and/or Animal Behaviour and Welfare junior modules have welcomed the addition of some very cute and fluffy day-old chicks to add to their practical, hands-on learning. Many other students have also loved getting the chance to visit the little chicks.

On Wednesday 2 June, twelve female day old chicks were collected for the Horticulture Unit. When they are on point of lay, they will be sold, all except about 3 that will take up residence in the chicken coop in the Horticulture Unit. The chicks will be weighed twice weekly and the costs and potential profit made will be calculated by the Year 10 Grow Your Own Business students. The Year 10 Animal Behaviour and Welfare students will be able to observe and monitor their behaviour as they mature. 

Many other students have dropped by to hold them and say “ahh how cute”. At the moment they have numbered cable ties on their legs to identify one from the other, but we might name them after members of the Black Ferns after all a rugby ball is kind of egg shaped!

In talking with the Year 10 Grow Your Own Business students rostered on to weigh the chicks yesterday, Leah Howse, Lily Nicholls, Savanah Ngawhau & Micah Clark all agreed that they are loving the opportunity to get outside the classroom and be involved in practical, hands-on learning. 

"I like going outside and actually doing things, not just sitting inside," said Lily. 

Leah agreed, "I like practical work, like growing plants and working with chickens and rats."

So far in the Grow Your Own Business module the students have learnt about planting and propagating plants, looking after chickens and rats along with how and where to sell things. 

"[We've learnt] how to price things so that you actually make a profit," said Lily.

"[And] how to save money without spending it," added Micah. 

With the arrival of the chicks last week the students are learning how to weigh the chicks and track their growth, noting that they grow really fast! Overall they have really enjoyed getting to do something different and for some, it is their first time ever handling chickens.