Supporting our Next Generation
Feed-Making and Egg Sizing with the Arc Program
At Braswell Family Farms, we believe in giving back to our community in big and small ways. This week, we had the privilege to reach the young minds of Nash County through the Arc Intervention and Enrichment Services Program.
During the visits to three different schools, we taught the students about the history of our company, how feed and eggs are produced and the nutritional benefits of eggs. We rounded up each presentation with a “feed-making” and egg-sizing activity. Photos from each activity as well as instructions on how to create your own activity are below.
We had an “egg-cellent” time sharing our knowledge with the students. We learned that “dippers” - a yolky egg perfect to dip bread in - is one young boy’s favorite way to enjoy eggs. We even had two grandchildren of one of our long-time employees in our two of our classes. Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club of the Tar River Region for their continued passion in supporting the future of our community.
Feed Making:
Combine 3-4 different types of cereal into a plastic bag.
In groups of 2 or 3, have students sort through the cereal and pick out their favorite type into a bowl for about 3-5 minutes.
After 3-5 minutes, have the students place the bowls to the side and zip up their bags and lay them flat on their desk.
Using a water bottle, have students crush the cereal in the bag for about 3-5 minutes. It’s great to see the different methods of crushing, as the students get creative! Note, if they use the cap to crush the cereal, it may tear holes in the bag.
After 3-5 minutes, have students compare the difference between the cereal in the bowl and in the bag. The cereal in the bag is much finer, showcasing how it is easier for hens to eat crushed feed, than whole ingredients. It also allows hens to get all of the nutrients they need, instead of just their favorite.
For more details on how to make your own feed-making activity, contact us.
Egg Sizing:
For this activity, you will need 1-2 cartons of 3-5 different egg sizes. Most grocery stores have Medium, Large, and Extra Large eggs. We used Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Jumbo eggs. Put one egg of each size in a bowl for each group.
Have each group observe their eggs, and very carefully pick them up to examine the size differences and characteristics of the egg.
As a team, have students pick out the SMALLEST egg. Once they have decided on the egg, have one representative place the egg in the correct carton at the front of the room.
Continue this process for each egg size. Students may find it hard to determine the difference between some eggs sizes more than others. Remind them that this is why automatic egg sizers are important. They can also reference the chart below for help.
Once all the eggs have been returned to the correct carton, you can weigh each carton to determine the accuracy of the sizing by the students. USDA weight by carton requirements can be found here.
For more details on how to make your own feed-making activity, contact us.
The Arc Intervention & Enrichment Services Summer Program for students in Southern Nash County is a partnership between Nash- Rocky Mount Public Schools and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region. It is made possible by a 21st Century grant. The three summer sites are Bailey Elementary (combined with Middlesex and Spring Hope Elementary students), Cedar Grove Elementary and Southern Nash Middle School students. For more information contact Elizabeth Scott.