This session’s focus was on sauropsida, that is, reptiles and birds.

Today it was little, cute chicks who died. They came from a laying hen facility that shredded male chicks. They don’t have any “use” in contrast to their female siblings, who will become laying hens. The chicks therefore would have died anyway (unfortunately). So they were gassed* (which apparently goes fast with these small birds) and landed on our dissection tables.

When looking at the sweet chicks, I was a little sad to see their lifeless bodies. I just don’t understand why animal babies have to die because the meat and egg industry says they’re not “useful”... oh well, that’s a different topic...

Something that I didn’t like this time was that there were apparently too many chicks**. The beginning was somewhat difficult because instead of cutting the skin, we were supposed to tear it “like a bag of chips” ... I’m really glad that my partner did it because I wouldn’t have wanted to or been able to.

The dissection was really hard for me this time. First we had to skin the chick before we could cut deeper. I hope that it’s not as bad next time.

Adeline, 1st semester, Biology

*Editor’s note: In Germany, male chicks in laying hen breeding facilities are shredded or killed with CO2. The university is working toward finding alternatives - e.g. with so-called dual-purpose chickens | more information

**Editor’s note: The number of experimental animals depends on the number of students registered for the course. Higher animals such as chicks and mice have been requested weeks in advance, and at this time the number required has to be submitted. Excused and unexcused absences of students cannot be calculated and only become apparent in the dissection course.