06/14/2026
🐣 From egg to ecosystem, our students raised 242 pheasants this spring!
This past spring trimester, students in Ladysmith High School science had the unique opportunity to help hatch and raise 242 Ring-Necked Pheasants in partnership with the Rusk County Wildlife Restoration Association! 🌿
Throughout the project, students dove into hands-on life science experiences, including:
🥚 Incubation and candling eggs
🔬 Checking for fertilization
📊 Counting chicks to calculate hatch rates
🧬 Studying birth defects and genetic differences in pheasant coloration
Students also learned about animal care, including the importance of humane handling and humane euthanasia practices in wildlife and agricultural settings—gaining a well-rounded understanding of responsible stewardship.
The pheasants raised through this project will help support pheasant population restoration efforts throughout the Rusk County area! 🌎
To celebrate the end of the trimester, students gathered for a class photo alongside a special guest . . . "Kyle," a goose from Ms. Dolezel's family farm known for his unique curly feather genetic trait! 🪿
Students were able to compare the care and management of larger birds and discuss the differences between small-scale family farm operations and larger wildlife restoration programs like the WRA.
A huge thank you goes out to Scarlet Nagel for serving as a guest speaker and assisting in the classroom throughout the trimester, and to Tom Hutnik and the Rusk County Wildlife Restoration Association for providing the eggs, materials, and support that made this incredible learning experience possible! 💜💛
