Description
Henrico 4-H Embryology Project: Hatching at Home
The Henrico 4-H Embryology Project: Hatching at Home is a month-long, hands-on, educational project where youth learn the life cycle of a chicken from incubation to hatch! Families will receive one dozen chicken eggs and 1 lb of chicken feed. Families will borrow an incubator and hatching supplies (brooder box, heat plate, and feeder/waterer) from 4-H.
Families will receive 4 ready-to-use lessons including:
- Introduction to Embryology
- Parts of an Egg & Embryonic Development
- Life Cycle of a Chicken
- Life on the Farm
Lessons are geared for youth in grades K-5.
Requirements:
- All new participants must watch a 1-hour training and pass a quiz to participate.
- Significant amount of table space for incubator with no drafts and not by a window and space for the brooder supplies
- Youth will be required to register in 4-H Online after paying. Families will be sent specific details with how to register in 4-H Online.
Other details:
- Incubation will start between Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7.
- Chicks will hatch between September 24 and September 29.
- Families can keep or re-home chicks, being mindful of local regulations and laws.
- 4-H will take any returned chicks to farmer on Friday, October 2. There are no exceptions.
- Only one set of Embryology supplies per family or co-op.
Kit Return Details:
Chicks should be returned in a box/bin separate from the brooder. The brooder should be fully cleaned, with no poop reside or bedding. The waterer and feeder should be empty and clean.
There is a $25 cleaning fee for any materials that are not returned completely clean. There is a $25 missing or broken parts fee for items such as the feeder/waterer, egg turner, power cord, candler, heat plate, brooder box, etc. There is a $150 missing or broken parts fee for the incubator.
Failure to pay any fees will prevent future participation 4-H projects.
4-H Online Enrollment:
After submitting payment, you’ll receive an email with instructions for enrolling in 4-H Online. Enrollment in 4-H Online is required for your youth to participate. Families will be sent specific details with how to register in 4-H Online. No refunds will be given if this requirement is not met.
Refund Policy:
To receive a refund, a request must be sent in writing to Carter Humphries, ccd296@vt.edu by August 21, 2026. A $10 processing fee will apply. Refunds will not be processed after August 21st. Refunds take up to 6 weeks to receive.