LIVE: Watch the birdie! Webcam shows chicks at Leicester primary school

Youngsters watched in awe as chicks they have been incubating for the past 21 days began to hatch, just in time for Easter.

Staff and children at Rowlatts Hill Primary, in Balderstone Close, Leicester, have been looking after 20 eggs since the middle of February, making sure they were at the correct temperature in an incubator.

The chicks began to hatch yesterday and visitors to the school's website have been watching them being born via a live webcam.

Pupil Ethan Staples, 10, said: "It's been so exciting to see them hatch. I've been watching them as much as I can in school and when I get home on the computer. They're amazing."

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Ritika Keshvala, 10, said: "When they first hatch they're very sticky, but they soon become really fluffy and cute.

"We've been learning about their life cycle in class and it's been really interesting. The best bit was seeing them hatch.

"It's going to be sad to say goodbye to them when they leave the school, but I know they have to go."

It is the second time the school has hatched chicks.

The eggs came from Churchside Poultry, in Bagworth.

The incubator was supplied by Incubators For schools – a project run by two mothers from Ellistown Farm, in Ellistown.

Grant Penton, business manager at the school, said: "The chicks are a particular breed and are not for eating.

"They will be returned to Churchside Poultry next week ahead of the Easter holidays, where they can be bought by individuals who wish to have them for eggs or for shows.

"It's been wonderful to have them in school and to follow their progress.

We have kept them at 36.7C for the past few weeks and were told to increase the humidity in the incubator on day 21.

Within a few hours, we could see some of them starting to hatch.

"Staff were in school until the early hours of yesterday keeping an eye on them.

"They've created such a buzz about the school and the reception area has been bursting every morning with parents and children all wanting to get a look at them.

"It's brought everyone together and has been a real talking point. They're obviously very cute and the timing has been perfect.

"This has been a real enrichment activity and given pupils a chance to see something they might not normally get to see.

"The last time we did this was about 18 months ago. We decided to give it anther go and I'm glad we did."