Chick Incubation for the Classroom

The Suffolk County Farm and Education Center is a supplier of fertile chicken eggs to hatch in the classroom and homeschool setting from the end of February through mid May. All eggs MUST be ordered in advance and are reserved on a “first come, first served” basis.

The important dates and information for the 2025-2026 Chick Incubation and Embryology program are as follows:

Egg Orders

Reservations Open: October 1, 2025, at 7 am; emails sent prior to 7 am will not be accepted.
Distribution Period: February 24^th, 2026 to May 19^th, 2026
Pickup Location and Time: All eggs and supplies must be picked up at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, NY on Tuesdays only between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Reservation Method:Email Kate Perz at kp99@cornell.edu with the number of egg sets required. Reservations are first come, first serve. Reservations cannot be made by phone.
- Order forms/POs sent without first reserving a date will not be considered valid reservations.
- No reservations will be confirmed for a specific date until the total number of egg sets needed is known.
- If you reserve a certain number of egg sets but will not use all of them, please notify me immediately so the unused sets can be made available to other schools.
Order Form Submission Deadline: At least 1 month prior to the egg pickup date.

Teacher Training

Teacher Training Requirement: Mandatory for new hatchers to purchase fertilized eggs and embryology supplies and strongly recommended for teachers newly participating in an established district.
Location: Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, 350 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY 11980
Cost: $50 per participant
Dates: (subject to change)
- January 27, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- February 4, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Returning Chicks

You Are Required to Return Chicks: All chicks must be returned to the farm
Return Deadline: June 23^rd, 2026
Return Process: By appointment only, scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. Available return times are Monday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Tuesdays between 9 am and 6 pm, and Fridays between 8 am and 4 pm. Select few Saturdays available. Days/times subject to change.
- If chicks are given away or kept without being sexed by a professional at the Suffolk County Farm, you may be subject to being refused fertile eggs in the future.
- We do adopt out female chicks – anybody interested in adopting your chicks must contact the Animal Science Program Coordinator /Kate Perz directly.

Additional Information

Cancellation Policy: Egg and/or supply orders can be canceled in writing up to 30 days prior to the reserved pick-up date with a 70% refund. No refunds for cancellations less than 30 days prior.
Multiple Set Orders: Contact information for each teacher hatching eggs must be provided at least 2 weeks prior to the egg pickup date.

We emphasize the importance of monitoring chicks for health issues in the classroom.

Health Monitoring: It is imperative that chicks in the classroom are being monitored for health issues. If any health/mobility issues arise, they must be discussed with the Animal Science Program Coordinator, Kate Perz.
• Timely Return:Chicks must be returned when instructed to do so by the Animal Science Program Coordinator, regardless of your distance from the farm.
Consequences: If chicks are returned in poor health/mobility and these issues were not discussed with the Animal Science Program Coordinator, you may be subject to being refused fertile eggs in the future.

This policy ensures that the chicks receive proper care and that any health concerns are addressed promptly.

If you have further questions or concerns, email Kate Perz (kp99@cornell.edu), as email is the preferred method of communication.

*Important information for hatchers who have previously purchased brooder/heat lamps: please note that LED light bulbs do not produce enough heat to be used in brooder lamps. If you do not have a working incandescent bulb, please contact Kate Perz at kp99@cornell.eduto discuss other options.