OLVESTON pupils are busy getting to know the chicks they have hatched.

Reception children at Olveston Primary School were given a dozen bantam eggs before Easter.

They had been carefully keeping watch over the chicken eggs.

Bantam chickens are smaller than their large counterparts and most breeds have a bantam version.

The small poultry breeds originated in Southeast Asia.

The chicken eggs were donated to the school along with equipment to help them grow, such as heat lamps.

After 21 days of incubation, five chicks hatched at the school.

Originally just a hatching project, the school decided to keep on some of the birds after seeing the children's enthusiasm for them and the care shown in raising them.

A school spokesman said it had been a fantastic learning experience, adding: "We would like to thank everyone who has helped us make this project possible. We are looking forward to this new venture and can't wait for some eggs of our own."