Eggs hatch smiles to children's faces

Published May 8, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Jamal Sutter
49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Although the question of whether the chicken came before the egg is still unanswered, a few of Holloman's own were able to unveil the truth about two other feathery friends.

Children of the Holloman School Age Program here recently witnessed the hatching of two baby turkeys and one baby duck.

The project was a 21-day process where children in the program cared for and helped hatch eggs that were donated by the Head, Heart, Hands and Health (4-H) program in Alamogordo, N.M.

The School Age Program received 35 eggs, said Cherice Gladney, School Age Program assistant. Upon arrival, the eggs were placed in an incubator for 18 days with a temperature between 99 to 101 degrees.

One of the main steps the children took part in was the turning of the eggs while in the incubator. The eggs had to be turned four to six times a day to ensure all sides were heated evenly, explained Ms. Gladney.

On the 19th day, the eggs were placed in a room-temperature environment, where they remained until they hatched.

When handling the eggs, extra precautions had to be taken into consideration due to the sensitivity of the eggs during the hatching process.

"You have to wash your hands before you touch the eggs because whatever is on your hands transfers onto the eggs," Ms. Gladney said. "When the eggs actually hatch, only the adults will go in and pick up the chicks and we have to wear gloves."

Once hatched, the children were excited about being able to play with the baby turkeys and duck.

"It was fun getting to pet them," said 7-year-old Alexis Baker.

Alexis was one of the program's children who played a major part in turning and caring for the eggs. She was even there to witness one of the hatchings.

"We thought the egg wasn't going to make it, so Ms. Cherice pulled the egg apart and it came out," Alexis said. "It was really cool."

Aside from teaching the children responsibility, the program is most proud of teaching the children about life and death.

"This is life and this is how we can reproduce life," said Ms. Gladney.

When the babies grow too large to be cared for, they are given to a farm in Alamogordo, she said.

After parting with the baby chicks, the program is usually given more eggs and the process is repeated, but the recent hatchings will be the last before the summer. During this time, the School Age Program takes field trips to El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, N.M., and the eggs won't get the proper care and attention needed to survive.

For information about enrolling your children in programs like this, call 572-3753.