The Library Vault

by Amy S.

You’ve been asking. We heard you. Chicks are returning in February 2026. Why so early? Because nothing helps beat the late-winter blues like little balls of adorable fluffiness.

Once again, the Youth & Family Learning department is partnering with our local Hatch the Chicken affiliate, Farmer Joe’s Gardens of Wallingford, Connecticut, to hatch eggs. The first batch of eggs arrives on Tuesday, February 3rd (that’s this week!). We anticipate hatching on Tuesday, February 24th. The chicks will be picked up by their mother farm on Tuesday, March 10th.

To make the most of their visit, join us for two Hang with the Chicks sessions at the kids’ desk on Saturday, February 28th (10:30-11:30am and 3:30-4:30pm) and on Saturday, March 7th at 3:30-4:30pm. You can also always tune in to the Peep Show through our live Chick Cam feed on our homepage. The feed always goes live close to the hatching dates.

Another batch of eggs will soon follow on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. We anticipate hatching on Tuesday, April 14th. You can hang with the new chicks on Saturday, April 18th and Saturday, April 25th. Say hi to them anytime where they live in their cage at the kids’ desk.

This year, we’re conducting several experiments in the Youth & Family Learning department. Stay tuned for a surprise batch of eggs from Xen’s Critters (presenters of this Saturday’s Take Your Child to the Library Day) in May and June. Will they be chickens, mini chickens, or even pheasants or peacocks? Check back to find out.

We know for certain that we will be hatching our first set of duck eggs in August 2026, also from Rent the Chicken. The duck eggs arrive Tuesday July 7, hatch around Monday August 3rd, and go back to their farm on Tuesday, August 11th. Because the ducklings grow bigger and faster than their chick cousins, they can’t fit in their cage at the library as long as the chicks. To make the most our of their visit, join us for our new “Date with a Duck” programs on Saturday, August 8th at the kids’ desk at 10:30am and 3:30pm.

Hang with the Chicks and Date with a Duck programs are all drop-in, with no registration required.

Can’t wait that long to cuddle cute and fuzzy animals? Understandable. This Saturday, February 7th, is National Take Your Child to the Library Day. To celebrate, we’ve invited Xen’s Critters to once again bring their Cute & Cuddlies petting zoo to the Hubbard Room. Drop in (no registration required) between 10am and 12pm. Adults are welcome, too.