Chickenology sampler

How do environment, heredity, and genetics affect living organisms?
This STEM-based poultry curriculum uses immersive learning experiences and real genetic samples for your students to dive deep in the future evolution of our food. See how environment influences heredity, and explore the evidence that suggests T. rex as our modern chicken’s and turkey’s ancestor. See teacher background →

Lessons

# Food delivery challenge

How can gravity be used to feed several chickens at the same time?

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# Investigate poultry genetics

How can we predict the expression of traits in poultry?

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Teacher background

This 8th grade life science focused unit, Chickenology, is designed to deliver science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content.

Chickenology investigates middle and high school life science standards through the lens of the agricultural industry. Explore poultry ancestry, diversity and trait expression to determine how the modern fowl have been selected to meet consumer needs.

Ohio is a national leader in egg and poultry farming. Ohio is one of the largest egg producers in the United States (currently the second largest), ranks 9th in turkey farming and produces over 526 million pounds of chicken annually. Poultry products like turkey, chicken and eggs provide an excellent source of protein for consumers. Table eggs are produced in a variety of different habitats (conventional, cage-free, free-range, organic, etc.) and are often delivered to the store within 24–36 hours after being laid by hens (adult female chickens).

Ohio’s egg and poultry farmers are committed to providing safe, high-quality, and affordable food products for families across the state and nation, and are integral members of their local communities. In addition, these farmers are dedicated to providing excellent care to their flocks and being responsible stewards of the land, air and water surrounding their farms.

Ohio farmers produce both corn and soybeans to provide a nutritious feed for chickens of all life stages. Soybeans provide the protein needed for a developing chicken and turkey cells to form and grow during development. You can find out more about these professional development events at grownextgen.org.

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Next gen science standards

Science and engineering practices

  • Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
  • Engaging in argument from evidence
  • Analyzing and interpreting data

Crosscutting concepts

  • Cause and effect
  • Stability and change
  • Patterns

Disciplinary core ideas/content

  • LS1B Growth and development of organisms
  • LS2C Ecosystem dynamics, functioning and resilience
  • LS4A Evidence of common ancestry and diversity

More resources

Chickenology career videos

These videos will introduce your students to careers related to Ohio poultry.

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Animal Science

Learn about animal science and why it is important for egg production in Ohio. Animal science incorporates animal behavior, science, and data analysis to make egg production efficient and safe for hens and humans.
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Information technology

Take a look an information technology (IT) role at Weaver Eggs! See how Zach uses communication, problem solving, and technology across the entire production process to make egg processing more efficient. Learn what drew him into information …
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Mechanical Engineering

Take a look a mechanical engineer’s role at Trillium Farms! See how he uses problem solving and engineering to make the hen’s housing safe and their egg production more efficient. Learn what drew him into mechanical engineering and about his …
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Poultry processing

Take a look at a Machine Specialist that works in poultry processing at Cooper Farms! See how he uses anatomical knowledge, problem solving, and maintenance skills to oversee the harvesting machines and make processing turkeys more efficient. Learn …
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Quality Assurance

Learn how the poultry industry is keeping eggs safe for Ohio consumers. Safe Quality Food positions incorporate communication skills, data analysis, food science and management skills to ensure a safe, healthy product is delivered for food …
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Veterinary Science

Learn about veterinary science and why it is important for poultry and egg production in Ohio. Veterinary Science incorporates communication, nutrition, animal behavior, health and data analysis to make livestock and environments healthy and …

Virtual field trips

Ohio is the number 2 egg-producing state in the US, 9th for turkey farming, and we produce over 526 million pounds of chicken each year. These videos take you right inside the farms where it all happens.

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Virtual field trip: A turkey’s best life ever!

What’s the best environment to grow a turkey? Learn how an environment influences trait expression in poultry and maximizes growth. What can humans do to create a happy flock?
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Virtual field trip: Breeding the best flock

This virtual field trip for middle and high school students will show the work done at Cooper Farms to breed broad-breasted white turkeys for the marketplace. Information will also include Meyer Hatchery’s chicken breeding operations. Students will …
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Virtual field trip: Egg breaking and liquid eggs!

What are liquid eggs? Learn about egg breaking and liquid egg processing in Ohio! Take a look behind the scenes at Cooper Farms to see the technology used to create a quality liquid egg product. We will go live into an egg breaking plant to see egg …
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Virtual field trip: Happy homes for hens and their eggs

Visit three different egg production facilities in Ohio. Learn the differences between conventional, cage-free, and organic eggs. How do the different environments affect egg production? How do veterinarians keep the hens healthy and happy?
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Virtual field trip: How eggs get to the table

Learn how eggs get from the chicken to your table! Take a look behind the scenes at Hertzfeld Poultry Farms. Come along as we see how eggs are sorted, cleaned and packaged without being touched by human hands before you buy them at the store.
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Virtual field trip: Sustainable egg production

Learn about sustainable egg production in Ohio! Take a look behind the scenes at Trillium Farms to learn how science and technology has improved egg production, hen care, air quality, manure removal and composting, nutrition and feed waste, and more!