The 36 children who attend Thurlby Pre-School in Northorpe have been caring for the chicks since they arrived at the pre-school on Monday last week.

They began hatching on Tuesday last week and by Friday, there were 11 little chicks in the incubator.

It is part of a project on growing. The children have also looked at how tall they are growing and have planted flowers and looked at tadpoles.

Manager at the pre-school Sarah Austin said the children, aged between two and four, have been excited to see the chicks developing.

She said: “They have been so excited to see the chicks hatching and one little girl sat for 40 minutes and watched as it hatched. Now we are keeping the chicks outside and the children have been able to handle them and care for them by feeding them and giving them water.

“Even the parents have been getting involved.”

Mrs Austin said the children would be sad to see the chicks go. They are being moved to a farm in Peterborough today and the owner intends to keep sending updates and photographs on how they are developing.