The chickens are coming to roost at Bayview High School this spring.

Specifically, a flock of chickens designated as an early warning system for the West Nile virus will be cooped on the grounds at Bayview School and monitored by science students.

Junior and senior science and health students in Don Zisette’s morning class are participating in a pilot project with the Island County-Washington State University Extension Service. The flock of chickens will be housed at Bayview School throughout the summer and students will be taking blood samples from the birds checking for the West Nile virus.

“If the West Nile virus comes to South Whidbey, we will know it,” said Liz Riggs, a student in the class. “The chickens can carry the antibodies for it, but will not die from it.”

The 11 students are becoming walking, talking experts on the West Nile virus, beginning with the study of the mosquitoes that carry the virus, to the design and construction of a chicken coop, and the care and testing of a sentinel flock. They are also studying environmental issues, such as healthy wetlands that have natural mosquito predators.

“The curriculum incorporates science, environment, language arts, math and community involvement,” Zisette said.

The students are obviously excited about the project.

“We will become an early warning system to alert the community if West Nile virus shows up,” student Mike Parnell said.

Bayview School is one of the first schools in the state to participate in the sentinel chicken virus monitoring. The students are part of a service learning pilot project.

Judy Feldman, a youth development coordinator for the WSU extension service, said the state Department of Health and the Centers of Disease Control will be interested in the data the students collect. Island County is not yet a virus hot spot, but last year, a horse living in the county was diagnosed with the West Nile virus. The students will participate in community education projects, including making presentations at the Island County Fair in August.

The students got the first look at their chicks last week when teacher Zisette brought them to class.

Obviously delighted with that part of the projects, students sat in class holding the chicks while they discussed their plans.

“I am really psyched about this class because it has so many different parts to it. It will be a great experience because we are doing something for the community,” said student Aaron Ackert.

Material donations have been made by local businesses, while funding for the study is provided by the Island County and the Youth in Philanthropy class at Langley Middle Schools. Other participants include the county and state health departments, Whidbey Island Audubon Society, Wildlands Management, the Camano Island Mosquito Control District and the Snohomish County WSU 4-H program.