2026 Embryology Program: Egg Orders (DuPage, Kane, Kendall)

2026 INCUBATION & EMBRYOLOGY PROGRAM with 4-H and University of Illinois Extension serving DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties

The 4-H Embryology Program allows students to experience chicks hatching in their classroom or learning environment! Just three weeks of incubation transforms a seemingly lifeless chicken egg into an active, living being. During the 21-day incubation period, students learn how to prepare eggs, set up an incubator, record progress, turn eggs, and test eggs for fertility. The project aligns with both Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core Standards. The program is designed for youth in grades K to 5, but can be adapted for older students.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

4-H provides online training, classroom resources, and egg ordering services so that educators can bring embryology to their classes.
Educators attend training, provide program equipment and supplies, teach and oversee the program for their students, and provide participant information and program evaluation data.
Supplies (include but are not limited to the following items with approx. costs listed):
- Incubator with built-in egg turner ($150)
- Thermometer (varies)
- Brooder box and bedding ($25)
- Egg candler (optional - $20)
- Heat lamp ($7)
- Chick waterer ($5)
- Chick feeder ($5)
- Other items with nominal costs that may be needed include: pencil, bleach, thermostat wafer, turkey/meat baster, marbles, wet sponges, chicken wire, cheese cloth wipes, and additional chick feed.
Teachers who attend the Beginner Teacher Training will get additional information about program supplies.

IMPORTANT DATES

Beginner training (online): Feb. 11 OR March 3 – 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Advanced training (online): Feb. 12 OR March 5 – 4:30-6 p.m.
Fertile egg pick-up: April 14
Hatch: Week of May 4

FERTILE EGG ORDER REGISTRATION DUE MARCH 3, 2026

Click here for the 2026 TEACHER TRAINING INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION. Note: It is separate from egg order registration this year.

PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BEFORE MOVING FORWARD

Program Notes:

Fertile egg supply may be limited this year, so please plan to place orders as early as possible.
Each educator will be limited to 1 set, 2 dozen eggs, per person/registration. If you would like to purchase multiple sets for your school or need one invoice for multiple teachers, please contact Katie McFarland at ksm@illinois.edu.
Teacher trainings will be in a virtual format (via Zoom). Educators should complete a beginner or advanced training once every five years in order to achieve continued success. Click here to access this registration.
Teachers must provide their own equipment to participate in this project. (see list above)
We cannot guarantee fertility of eggs. (average 90% fertility rate)
We cannot guarantee hatch of eggs, as so many factors can impact project success.
While we try to get layer bird eggs, there may be Cornish Rock (meat birds) unless otherwise informed.
Mark your calendar with important dates (listed above) and keep a lookout for updates via email.
This program is designed for those who teach in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties. To find another local program, contact your local Extension office.

Payment and Refund Policy: Credit charges will be billed as 'University of Illinois' charges on your card statement. Checks must be received prior to your training date unless otherwise agreed upon. Egg Order payment is due by March 3, 2026. Please mail to University of Illinois Extension, 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville IL 60560. No refunds once an order is placed due to fertile egg supplier requirements.

Communication: 4-H staff will email updates, reminders, and helpful hints during the 3-week incubation process. All communications are sent by email, so please be sure that we always have your most up-to-date email address. Please also take note of our website: go.illinois.edu/embryology4Hdkk. All important dates and contact information can also be found there.

Required Forms: Please complete all of the registration questions. You also will receive an Illinois 4-H Program Group Enrollment form to fill out. Extension receives local, state, and federal funding and is therefore required to gather demographic data. Completion of this demographic information (for all youth who will benefit from the program) is required for egg pick-up. We appreciate you using raw numbers and not percentages as you complete the form. Thank you!

Upload Illinois 4-H Group Participationform by April 14.
Complete IL State 4-H Chick Embryology SURVEY, located by May 8:
- go.illinois.edu/chickembryo

Questions or requests: If you have any questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact please contact 4-H Youth Development Educator Katie McFarland at ksm@illinois.edu, or call 630-553-5823. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

THANK YOU for your participation! To order eggs, please complete the form below:

Create an account

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

SCHOOL or ORGANIZATION:

FIRST/LAST NAME of EDUCATOR implementing embryology in their classroom:

EMAIL of EDUCATOR implementing embryology in their classroom: 4-H staff will email important information for trainings and egg pick up to this email address, as well as updates, reminders, and helpful hints during the 3-week incubation process.

CITY of school or organization

COUNTY of school or organization: Please choose the county where you teach or will administer this program. This order/registration is for educators in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties.

If you chose "Other," please list county here: For more information on this program in other counties: Lake: 847-223-8627 McHenry: 815-338-3737 Cook, Chicago: 773-768-7779 Cook, North (Arlington Heights): 847-201-4176 Cook, South (Matteson): 708-679-6889 Will: 815-727-9296 Grundy: 815-942-2725

FERTILE EGG ORDERING (1 set = 2 dozen eggs) If your district/organization needs to order for multiple educators on one invoice, please contact 4-H Education Enrichment Coordinator Katie McFarland at ksm@illinois.edu.

2 dozen eggs (1 set), includes: 2 dozen fertile eggs for the project, starter chick feed (enough for 2-3 days), resources and access to 4-H staff for questions. ($30.00)

[30 of 100 filled]

WAITLIST: If you want to order eggs and the option above is not available, click here to join the potential waitlist. Note: there is no guarantee that more eggs will become available.

PICK-UP LOCATION on April 14 (in the afternoon, exact times TBD) Note: School districts or organizations that do bulk orders/invoices do not need to order eggs through this registration.

I will pick up my fertile eggs from the DuPage County Extension office (Naperville)

I will pick up my fertile eggs from the Kane County Extension office (St. Charles)

I will pick up my fertile eggs from the Kendall County Extension office (Yorkville)

FIRST/LAST NAME of person picking up your eggs

Please read and acknowledge the following statement, and choose an option below: I understand that it is the recommendation of U of I Extension trainers that educators doing the embryology project complete a beginner or advanced training once every five years in order to achieve continued success.

I am registering for a 2026 teacher training.

No training needed this year, as I took the training last year (2025).

No training needed this year, as I took training recently (2021-2024) - It is recommended to attend a training every 5 years for continued success.

Please read and acknowledge the following statement:

I understand that U of I Extension cannot guarantee hatch or fertility of eggs, as so many factors can impact project success.

Please read and acknowledge the following statement: At a later date, you will receive an Illinois 4-H Program Group Enrollment Form, which will be required before Egg Pick-Up. Extension receives local, state, and federal funding and is therefore required to gather demographic data.

I understand that I will receive and complete an Illinois 4-H Program Group Enrollment Form with accurate information about the youth participants, and return the form before egg pick-up. I will respond with raw numbers (not percentages) that include all the youth in all classrooms benefiting from this egg order.

Refund Policy

Refunds are not available for this program.

Total Registration Cost $