Keep the Duck Out!!!

Spring brings with it the unfortunate increase of classroom projects where eggs are hatched under the "pretense" of education.

Many of us have had to deal with the "results" of these learning projects&mdash ducklings and chicks with malformed and crippled legs and feet from the eggs not being turned properly or at all, kinked necks, neurological issues from being dropped, broken bones from being squeezed or "loved on" a little too roughly by the excited students, etc.

The teachers all assure us that the places that supplied the eggs all guarantee to take the ducklings/chicks back after hatching. We contacted one such place and were told they routinely just kill them when they are returned, due to the amount of problems as described above that they find in the chicks and ducklings.

We must all try to discourage teachers from doing this as a class project for many reasons. If hatching is to be a learning experience, then the true fate of the hatchlings should not be hidden. The birds which are lucky enough to be healthy on hatch are not going to be pets, as many areas have zoning requirements preventing this. Teaching the production of unwanted life only serves to teach that life is cheap and disposable. It is very sad. There are good web sites that show the hatching process step by step through pictures, and we believe teachers should be encouraged to use that in their teaching, instead of the real thing.

March 21, 2008

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