Is it safe to hatch chicks in the classroom around children who have egg allergy?
Some Children’s Education and Care (CEC) services or schools hatch chickens as a fun learning activity. We strongly encourage schools and CEC services to speak with parents of children with egg allergy if they are thinking of hatching chicks.
Parents should contact their allergy specialist to ask about the safety of their child being involved in such an activity. An allergy specialist is the best person to answer a question about egg allergy and hatching chicks.
Generally, simply watching chicks hatch in an incubator poses no risk to children with egg allergy.
People with egg allergy are allergic to the proteins found in egg. When chicks hatch, some egg protein may be present on the incubator equipment. All children should be encouraged to wash their hands after touching the incubation box in case there is any left over egg content on it.
There is a little more risk when it comes to children handling the chicks as a newly hatched chick may have egg protein on them. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to egg is unlikely to happen unless the egg protein is eaten. Handling a chick without gloves may be a risk for a mild to moderate skin reaction like itchiness or redness. Hand washing straight after the activity reduces the risk of a more severe allergic reaction.
Here are some ways to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction so the child with allergy can still participate (if their doctor agrees)
- The allergic child can touch a chick that hatched the previous day and has no wet feathers.
- Closely supervise the child with egg allergy to ensure they do not put their fingers into their mouth. The parent may be present to supervise their child.
- If the child with the egg allergy wants to hold a chick, we suggest that child wear disposable gloves.
- All children need to wash hands after touching the chicks as soon as the activity is finished, even if they were wearing gloves. This is to remove any leftover egg protein that may still be on the chick as well as for hygiene purposes.
The allergy specialist may have other suggestions depending on the child.
Chick hatching is an activity that most children can enjoy with risk reduction measures and close supervision in place.
*These suggestions are taken from expert opinion as there is little evidence-based research about the risk of hatching eggs to children with egg allergy.