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.

This year we are once again offering cartons of 8 eggs per classroom*. Eggs will be distributed on Tuesdays between 9 am and 6 pm beginning on February 27^ththrough May 28^th, 2024.

Reservations for the 2023-2024 season will open on Monday, October 2^nd at 9 am.

To reserve eggs and receive an order form, please email Kate Perz at kp99@cornell.edu with the subject “Fertile Egg Request" after 9 am on October 2^nd. This email should include the week(s) that you are interested in obtaining eggs (availability for a specific week is not guaranteed) and how many sets of eggs you will need; we cannot reserve eggs for a specific date unless the amount of eggs needed is known.

Egg orders must be reserved via email, not through order forms or POs. Order forms and POs are not considered reservations; any orders sent this way do not guarantee eggs on the requested dates.Full or partial orders may be cancelled in writing up to 30 days prior to reserved pick up date. You will be refunded 70% of the fee. No refunds will be given if request is less than 30 days prior to reserved pick up date.

All chicks hatched through this program MUST be returned to the Suffolk County Farm. Hatchers who are interested in keeping their female chicks should contact Kate Perz at kp99@cornell.edu

Teacher training courses will be required for new hatchers in order to purchase embryology supplies. The course is $50 per participant. The Teacher Training courses will be held at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center. Dates for the Teacher Trainings are as follows (dates subject to change):

Wednesday, January 24^th, 2024 from 4:30 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 1^st, 2024 from 4:30- 7:30 pm

* When ordering multiple sets of eggs for a school/district, contact information (name and email) for each teacher hatching eggs must be provided to the Animal Science Educator/Kate Perz at least 2 weeks prior to the egg pickup date. This will allow the teachers to receive important information about the eggs and chicks, and allow for easier 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 atkp99@cornell.eduto discuss other options.