Welcome to our Egg Incubation Program! Follow these steps to reserve your spot and ensure a successful incubation experience for your group.
Step 1: Select Your Reservation Date
When selecting your reservation date, consider the following:
- Desired Hatching Time: Think about when you want the eggs to hatch. If you're planning around spring break, school holidays, or special events, plan ahead so the hatching timing aligns with your schedule.
- Incubation Duration: Eggs typically take 21 days to hatch. Make sure to choose a reservation date that allows enough time for incubation before your preferred hatching date.
Important Note: Since each unit contains 1/2 dozen eggs, please be sure to adjust your plans accordingly if you need multiple units. To ensure that every classroom or home can fully participate and manage the program effectively, we ask that each classroom/homestead limit their egg incubation to 1/2 dozen eggs (1 unit). This will allow us to accommodate as many participants as possible and provide everyone with a great experience.
Step 2: Choose the Number of Units and Pickup Time
Each unit consists of 1/2 dozen eggs, and the fee is $40 per half dozen. Please select the number of units based on the number of eggs you'd like to incubate (keeping in mind the 1/2 dozen limit).
For example:
- 1 unit = 1/2 dozen eggs for $40
- 2 units = 1 dozen eggs for $80
Egg pickups are available at 9am or 4pm. A 15-minute grace period before or after your scheduled time is allowed. However, arrivals outside this window may result in an inability to successfully pick up your reserved eggs.
Step 3: Complete Your Reservation
Once you've decided on the reservation date and number of units, proceed to complete the reservation form. Make sure to double-check your selected dates and egg quantities before submitting your order.
Step 4: Payment
After confirming your reservation details, you'll be prompted to make payment of $40 per half dozen eggs. Payment will be made via our secure online platform at the time of reservation. All reservations are non-refundable. If you need to change your reservation date or quantity, we will do our best to accommodate your request based on availability. We cannot guarantee alternative dates will be available. However, please note that there are no refunds for reservations once payment has been made.
Step 5: Prepare for Your Eggs
Before picking up your eggs, be sure to have your incubator set up and ready to go. Your eggs should be placed in the incubator on the pickup date to ensure proper temperature and humidity for incubation. When transporting incubation eggs, no special precautions are required. The eggs do not need to be refrigerated, warmed, or washed. You will receive the eggs in an egg carton. Simply ensure that they are kept in a safe, stable environment at room temperature to prevent any physical damage.
- Chick Starter: When you pick up your eggs, you will receive a small bag of food that will last approximately 1-2 weeks for your chicks. If you plan to keep the chicks longer, you can purchase additional chick starter from a local feed store.
- Chick Return Policy: Chicks must be returned before they reach 8 weeks of age. After that, you are welcome to keep the chicks if you'd like. Please coordinate with us in advance for their return.
Step 6: Expecting Your Hatchlings
If you have any questions, need further assistance with the sign-up process, or need to change your pick-up date, please email our Farm Education Program Manager, Adele Gedig at adeleg@thecenterpalos.org or call (708) 361-3650. We're here to help make your egg incubation experience a success!
Please note: The Children’s Farm is no longer an approved vendor for the Chicago Public School system. As a result, we will not be able to provide a vendor number for P.O. requests as we have in previous years. Be sure to have an alternative payment method in place for your purchases. Thank you for your understanding!
Is the pick-up date you want fully booked, or is the program at capacity? You can add your name to the waitlist here.