Most eggs received through the mail or feed stores for hatching are those of domestic ducks and geese.  These domestic birds are like a pet cat or dog—they cannot fend for themselves if “put out into nature”.  Unless you intend to care for your chicks throughout their lifespan (25 years), or find someone who will, hatching chicks is not a fitting science project for the classroom.   

Instead, how about raising mealworms!  You can still focus on lifecycles, and in turn help feed wildlife when your project is finished.  Wildlife rehabbers, who are volunteers, purchase tens of thousands of mealworms per month to feed the wildlife in their care.  Mealworms are especially needed in the spring for baby birds.   

The Virginia Beach SPCA has accepted injured, orphaned and sick wildlife for 15 years.  Our involvement includes immediate assessment, medical treatment if necessary, feeding, and temporary housing until transport to state licensed wildlife rehabbers and/or release.  The Virginia Beach SPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Program is the largest wildlife rehabilitation organization in our area. The VBSPCA boasts its very own Wildlife Treatment Room onsite. We are very proud to be one of only a handful of shelters nationwide that have a dedicated room just for wildlife care. Since we received approximately 1,800 wildlife animals last year, our room is put to good use! 

Won’t you help wildlife and raise mealworms?  Contact Kathy at 427-0070 x 107 or educationdirector@vbspca.com for more information, or to find out where to deliver your mealworms!