Several of my friends raise chickens; some are in 4H and show animals. Summer is the time for animal care!
1. Mississippi State has this 36 page introduction titled Caring for Animals. Start with this booklet. There are loads of thought provoking questions to consider before you get an animal. Plan to keep a record.
2. Here is an article about how to shadow a vet. Homeschool teens often shadow their local vets. One young friend shadowed her equine vet several afternoons each week for years.
3. Kiddos might make Animal Habitats (dioramas). Older kiddos might read this post from Audubon explaining how to make your backyard more bird friendly.
4. Look at types of animal science projects. How about raising rabbits? Texas A&M has a good introductory guide. Rabbits are easy and cuddly. They make good class pets. (Don’t even ask me how many animals I’ve had as class pets or gifts from students or their families. Iguanas are easy to raise, too. You must handle them every day and vary their diet. Likely no one else will volunteer to watch it.) Here is a list of animal projects.
5. Set up an aquarium or care for a Beta fish, another low maintenance pet.
6. Train your parakeets. (I haven’t been successful teaching mine not to vandalize their cage.) Here is a parakeet care sheet. (Don’t be surprised how expensive parakeets are; generally they cost $40-50.)
7. Look at this Grab and Go Animal Science Guide.: Construct an animal spine with pony beads, make simple brands, create a play doh ruminant digestive system, read stories, and make quesadillas.
8. Visit a Dairy Farm Shop or Creamery. Our family in Pennsylvania lives in Amish Country. Many of the creameries sell cheese and ice cream. Our favorite has calves to pet and a barn to explore.
9. Does your family raise chickens? Consider selling eggs. Here is information about pricing the eggs for sale. Take it to the next level with a Roadside Egg Stand. Build a Chicken Coop—such as this A-Frame Coop.
10. Go to the County Fair. Even better, enter an animal at the local fair. Many of you raise chickens. Consider entering Fancy Chickens.
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