A GROUP of St Francis College have been raising young ones of their own.
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Sound strange?
The school's year 10 agriculture class has been working to grow day-old chicks they received just over six years ago to raise them in preparation for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The fluffy birds are now weighing in at upwards of two kilograms in this short time.
St Francis is just one of over 70 NSW schools entered in the Steggles School Meat Bird Pairs Competition, which takes place over the six weeks leading up to the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The Competition provides students with a glimpse into the poultry industry and works to dispel hormone myths surrounding chicken meat production.
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Hormones have not been used in chicken meat production in Australia for over 40 years.
"Caring for the chickens has shown us how quickly they grow when you make sure their needs are met," said student Tateum Ingram.
In the lead up to the competition students have observed first-hand the effect selective breeding has on the growth and development of chickens.
They will select one pair of male and one pair of female meat chickens for the competition, where they will be judged by leading experts from the poultry industry.
These chickens will progress to a carcase judging class being judged to the standards of the commercial trade.
A digital presentation detailing the performance and management of the chickens during the competition is also submitted for judging.
"The chickens must be weighed each day and their weights recorded to transfer into our report," student Jessica Forrest said.
"We also accurately track the amount of food they are consuming each day.
"The feed we chose to use had to supply the required nutrition for efficient weight gain and optimum performance."
Students are happy with the progress of the chickens so far with the birds looking healthy and happy.
The Easter Show gets underway later this week.
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