Embryology is the study of embryos and their development. Lancaster County 4-H coordinates the popular Embryology 4-H school enrichment program locally, delivering supplies, teaching in the classrooms and distributing chicks to area farmers. We also host 4-H EGG Cam, which allows you and other viewers around the world to witness the amazing process of chicks hatching!

Lancaster County third graders have benefited from Embryology in their classrooms since 1975. Students learn about embryonic development and the life cycle during the 21-day incubation process of chicken eggs. They care for the eggs, witness the hatching process and then care for the baby chicks for 2–3 days. What started out in three classrooms at one school has blossomed into every third grade classroom in the Lincoln Public School system as well as Waverly, Malcolm, Norris, many parochial schools and several homeschools. Thank you to Hy-Line International for helping support our embryology program and to members of the Lincoln Northeast Kiwanis Club who drive to Iowa three times a year to get the eggs!

For more information about Embryology, contact Extension Assistant Calvin DeVries at calvin.devries@unl.edu or 402-441-7180.