Canadian charity P.E.A.C.E. Humane released the Chick It Out app, offering educators an alternative to classroom chick hatching. By replacing traditional hatching projects, the app is a first of its kind solution to the ethical dilemma of using chickens in schools.
An interactive experience, the app allows students to learn about a chicken’s life stages, including the egg life cycle and the anatomy of a hen. Children can watch the mother hen on her nest, taking care of her eggs. Since the egg development happens in real-time, students can check daily for progress on the growing chick.
“When our firstborn entered kindergarten, I was shocked that egg hatching and the use of live animals for educational purposes were still a thing.” Sarien Slabbert, co-founder and executive director of P.E.A.C.E. Humane, explains. “Learning more about how other organizations, like the Society for Humane Science, are promoting AR apps as an alternative to vivisection in classrooms, helped inspire the creation of this app to hopefully help end the use of living beings for educational purposes.”
The B.C. SPCA states they are opposed to the hatching of birds in the classroom because of the associated welfare issues. There are also health and safety concerns, such as Salmonella, especially when children may not adequately wash their hands after handling the eggs or chicks. With the recent avian flu outbreak, educators are particularly concerned with the threat of zoonotic diseases in the classroom.
By using modern technology, educators can avoid the risks and concerns associated with bringing chickens into the classroom. As Sarien shares, “This way teachers and parents can use a more humane approach to learning and combine it with a nature walk and/or visiting a local farm sanctuary.”
The app, available in the app store, offers users lifetime access for a small, one-time fee, currently £0.89. This is considerably more cost-effective than purchasing and maintaining an incubator, heat lamp, cage, and other necessities required for a classroom set-up. You can find out more about how the Chick It Out app works here.
We are often asked by Vegan parents to recommend alternatives to their educators and we think this is a great app for Vegan Parents to advertise to their educators. This is also a great educational resource for those home educating and wishing to explore the lifecycle of chicks.
P.E.A.C.E. Humane is a Canadian charity promoting compassion for all through humane education. They are committed to offering innovative and ethical alternatives that keep animals out of the classroom, as well as providing resources that teach empathy and respect for animals (human and non-human) and the environment.