Are chick hatching experiments legal in Massachusetts?
A. The Massachusetts law does not prohibit chick hatching. However, because many incubators fail to provide the exacting heat, humidity, and rotation needs of the developing eggs-and because it is usually extremely difficult to find appropriate placements for all the chicks after hatching-the Center discourages these experiments. Q. What about chick embryology studies? A. Based on the opinion of some experts, the developing embryo does not have the capacity to suffer until three days before hatching if its protective covering is interfered with in some way. After this time, the embryo’s nervous system has developed sufficiently for the chick to suffer discomfort from the loss of warmth and humidity resulting from chick embryology studies. Therefore, according to principles and guidelines issued by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR), experiments on avian embryos should be terminated 72 hours before hatching. The Center supports the ILAR guidelines and interprets the Mas
