Ducklings at TASIS

This year, Farmer Matt needed to add to his ducks kept on his farm. I went to Lowershaw Farm to pick up 7 eggs to incubate. Matt told me that he had gotten a mixture of eggs from his ducks and other farmers' ducks, which would give a healthy hatch of ducklings. We have been hatching ducklings to live free-roam for many years on Lowershaw Farm. Matt takes excellent care of his ducks and chickens, making sure to securely house them each night and then let them free-roam during the day. 

I was able to regularly record the candling during incubation to allow our students to watch the embryos develop. This included photographs and videos taken by me, where they could witness the ducklings moving in the egg as they grew. The ducklings hatched at my house, so that I could be there for them all day and night, as it takes time to come out of an egg. Again, this was all recorded for our students to see.

Once the ducklings hatched, they came to school each day and were kept in a classroom where they could stay under a heat lamp and have quiet time when needed. All of the students in the Lower School and Middle School got a chance to come see them and watch them grow over the weeks we kept them. Our students learned that each duckling had a unique personality, with different characteristics. They were able to watch how they interacted and how they developed. 

The Roots & Shoots Club members got to spend extra time during our after-school club days to interact with the ducklings. A deep understanding and love developed. The children and the ducklings both thrived in their relationship. 

After a few weeks, the ducklings were taken to Lowershaw Farm to continue to grow and eventually be big enough to free-roam all day. The farm has a lovely pond for the ducks and they are happy to wander around the farm each day. 

This project, which we have been taking part in for many years, teaches the students that ducks, as well as all animals are unique in their individual lives, have feelings, and are as much a part of this Earth as humans are. 

Written by Wendy Gediman, Roots & Shoots Coordinator at TASIS