The law firm Advocates for Animals has produced the following report for Animal Aid setting out the various legal provisions, that teachers should be aware of, such as The Animal Welfare Act 2006, that are engaged when keeping chicks in the classroom:

• The legislation creates a positive duty to look after animals properly, not simply a negative one not to cause them harm.

• Chicks have complicated needs that need to be met under the law.

• This places an obligation on everyone responsible for the new-born chicks to research what those needs are to ensure legal compliance.

• Any breach of the law could impose liability on the school, the individual teacher and/or the pupil.