Students in Katrina Robinson’s AP Biology classes had some plucky visitors this month, as they studied the behavior of Rhode Island Red hatchlings.

The chicks were just two days old when they arrived at Penfield High School. Robinson teaches four sections of the course, meaning the chickens received ongoing human interaction throughout the day and lived in impeccably clean habitats.

“The students cleaned their cages twice a day, fed them, and provided care,” she explained.

Over the course of three weeks, students observed closely their innate reactions and instincts to outside stimuli and researched their learned behaviors. The students watched the chicks rapid growth and learned to differentiate between their distress calls and pleasure calls (the former is louder than the latter).  

“We also saw them fighting and tried to figure out which were the dominant chickens in the flock,” explained Ariana Nayak, a junior in the class.

Along the way, Robinson said the students bonded with the chickens, giving them creative names. Chelsea Chicken belongs to Nayak, while Sticky Chicky found a friend in fellow junior Cate Motsay.

Observing learned behavior also meant the students created obstacles to see if the chickens could overcome barriers and find food.

“The chickens have to figure out how to knock over a test tube to find food,” explained Motsay.

It didn’t take long for Chelsea Chicken to ace an obstacle course on her way to mealworms. “I was very proud,” said Nayak.

Sticky Chicky wasn’t quite as adept, and it became clear Chelsea Chicken was the dominant of the two.

“My chicken is just along for the ride,” Motsay said with a laugh.

Nayak said she was surprised to observe how social the chickens are and Motsay agreed. “They can’t be alone, they have to have a roommate,” she explained. 

With the flock mentality in mind, Robinson reached out to the school community to make sure the chickens would find loving homes after the unit concluded. Students, teachers, and staff from across the District volunteered to adopt the chickens, who now live in backyards and farms across Rochester. Chelsea Chicken and Sticky Chicky headed home with Nayak, who said her mom gave an enthusiastic yes when asked about adopting them.

With the AP Biology exam in the rearview, Robinson said units like this are a great way to bring to life biology and animal behavior concepts the students have studied all year.

“It’s a chance to do something outside the curriculum that enriches the class and teaches students life skills,” she said. “And we have a little fun along the way.”