St Paul's College Year 9 agriculture students are embarking on a six week journey as the mother hens for 12 baby chicks.
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The students had their first hands-on experience with the chicks today and they will spend the next six weeks caring for them ahead of a competition which will judge the two heaviest and healthiest male and female chickens.
There are 86 schools from across the state participating and St Paul's College agriculture teacher Graham Bramley claims it's a good experience for the students.
"It's a good learning process for the students and it gives them a taste of hands-on work with animals," Mr Bramley said.
"It's our third time taking part in the program and it has been a very successful experience over the past two years."
The chickens will be cared for and fed, with data recorded by each school’s agricultural students in the lead-up to the competition.
The competition is judged by experts from the commercial poultry meat industry, and students are critiqued on the presentation of their exhibits, carcase quality, and their PowerPoint presentations detailing how the meat birds were raised and prepared for the show.
The students must play close attention to heat, feed and water provided to the chickens, and house them in a safe, spacious and solid construction with enclosed areas to move freely during the day and roost at night.
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