PRIMARY schools in Basingstoke taking part in controversial egg hatching projects have come under fire, after an animal shelter rescued 19 ‘poorly-treated’ chicks from one school earlier this year.

Four schools in the town have been named by an animal rescue charity as taking part in the controversial practice, which sees pupils handling the newborn chicks after they’ve hatched. It has been criticised by the RSPCA, who said chicks “are not disposable teaching tools”.

In one shocking incident, Basingstoke-based animal rescue service Helping Dogs and Cats UK Rescue were called to Oakridge Infant School to rescue 19 chicks in June, with the organisation saying they expected them to be “disposed of” as snake food.

Rescue manager and founder, Kirsty Wrightson said they found the chicks covered in dirt and what she assumed was urine, and they were hungry.

She told The Gazette: “The chicks came all wet, covered in dirt and absolutely starving. We were really annoyed that they hadn’t been looked after.

“They were picked up in a plastic box with no food, they were all wet and they were starving. We were happy we had got there.”

Speaking generally about the practice, Kirsty continued: “I think it’s cruel because they’re being bred to show children how eggs hatch and then they’re being killed. It’s not nice for them because [they can be] left at school overnight. Handled by children and they’re not that gentle.

“I can’t tell you where they would have gone if the lady from reception didn’t call. They said they’re being taken to be killed and she didn’t want that.

“It makes me angry and sad because there are other ways to teach these children.”

Responding, Libby Searle, early years manager and assistant headteacher at Oakridge Infant School, said: “We get them from a reputable company that goes into a lot of schools and provide equipment. They deliver the eggs and we’ve been doing it for four or five years. The children get a chance to see the eggs hatch and staff take them home over the weekend - children are taught what needs to help keep them fed and safe.

“It’s a good opportunity to see first-hand and get an opportunity to look after the chicks. There is an option to rehome chicks or company we got them from can take them. We also called out to members of community who can come and take them.”

She added it was “very much for educational purposes”.

The RSPCA told The Gazette the charity has concerns over the egg-hatching projects, and has asked schools “to give real consideration as to whether they can meet the welfare needs of the animals” and added that it’s often left to animal welfare charities to “pick up the pieces”.

Dave Allen, head of education at the RSPCA said: “It’s really important for children to learn about the natural world, and we understand why many schools and nurseries may look to hatching chicks or ducks for education purposes.

“However, we’re concerned about eggs being hatched in schools for a number of reasons, for example schools can be noisy and frightening for animals, and because the school day is relatively short and the eggs may hatch at any time, it could be difficult to monitor the welfare of the animals, and seek veterinary advice if they fell ill. It’s also not as easy as people may think to find an appropriate home for the animals once they are fully grown and it’s often that local animal welfare charities are left to pick up the pieces in the local areas to the schools, which isn’t fair on the charities or the animals.

“We believe that animal welfare can be taught in other ways, such as online resources and videos, nature walks to observe animals in their natural habitats without disturbing them, and with educational talks. We have plenty of resources on our education website and we are encouraging schools to become an RSPCA Animal Friendly School and teach pupils about kindness and compassion for wildlife and animals.

“Bringing in eggs just to watch them hatching and then to move the animals on does the opposite of teaching children the right attitude towards them. They are not disposable teaching tools but living, feeling individuals whose long term welfare should be prioritised.”

Manor Field Infant School has confirmed that they have taken part in egg-hatching projects, but a spokesperson said the chicks are sent to free range farms after the project.

Meanwhile, Merton Infant School also confirmed it has taken part in egg-hatching projects, whilst Marnel Infant School, which was named by Helping Dogs and Cats UK as a school that takes part, has denied it.

Susan Giles-Cox, headteacher, told The Gazette that the school does not have egg-hatching programmes “and never have in the eight years I have been headteacher here”.

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said that the issue was down to each school and that there is guidance in place to make sure it is safe.

The spokesperson said: “Each school is responsible for making its own decision about whether it wishes to temporarily bring in pets or animals into its school community, as part of its school curriculum.

“For those education settings that do wish to do this, the Department for Education and CLEAPSS (the Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services) provides guidance on how to do so in a way that is safe for pupils, staff and the animals concerned.”