🐔 Chicken Coop

🐣 How Chickens Make Eggs — Clear Explanation

[Ovary]  
   ↓  (yolk released)
[Oviduct]
   ↓  (albumen/egg white added)
[Shell membranes]
   ↓  (protective layers)
[Shell gland / Uterus]
   ↓  (hard shell formed)
[Cloaca / Vent] → egg laid

Chickens make eggs through a process inside their bodies that builds the egg from the inside out. Here’s how it works:

🥚 Step‑By‑Step Inside the Hen

1. Yolk Begins
   • The hen’s ovary releases a yolk (the yellow part).
   • This is the first building block of the egg.
2. Egg White Forms
   • The yolk moves into the oviduct.
   • Layers of egg white (called albumen) wrap around it as it travels.
3. Membranes Go On
   • Two thin shells of membrane form around the albumen.
   • These help keep the egg strong and protect it from germs.
4. Shell Is Built
   • In the shell gland (uterus), calcium is added to make the hard outer shell.
   • The shell can be white or brown depending on the breed of hen.
5. Laid Through the Vent
   • When the shell is finished, the egg passes out of the hen’s body through the cloaca (vent) and is laid in the nest.

---

📌 Extra Info That’s Good to Know

• Time to Make One Egg: About 24–26 hours.
• Rooster Needed?
  • No for laying an egg — hens lay eggs whether or not a rooster is present.
  • A rooster can fertilize eggs if chicks are wanted.
• Eggs at the Store:
  • Most are unfertilized and won’t develop into chicks.

How To Get Chicks

To get started, you will need to decide whether you want to buy day-old chicks, hatch eggs, or let a broody hen do the work. This guide covers all the steps you need to successfully get baby chicks on your farm.

Total Time Needed:
30–60 Minutes (for setup)

Total Cost:
$20–$70 USD (depending on method)

Required Tools:

• Brooder box or safe area
• Heat lamp or brooder plate
• Pine shavings bedding
• Chick starter feed
• Shallow water dish

Things Needed:

• Fertilized eggs or day-old chicks
• Safe, clean space for brooder

Steps to Get Chicks:

Step 1: Choose Your Method
Decide whether you want to buy chicks from a store, hatch eggs in an incubator, or let a broody hen hatch eggs.

Step 2: Prepare Brooder
Set up a brooder box with bedding, heat source, food, and water. Make sure temperature is around 95°F (35°C) for the first week.

Step 3: Acquire Chicks or Eggs
Buy healthy day-old chicks from a trusted breeder or store, or collect fertilized eggs from your hens if hatching.

Step 4: Place Chicks or Eggs in Brooder
If using eggs, make sure incubator settings are correct: 99.5°F, 50% humidity, and turn eggs 3 times a day. If chicks, place them gently in the brooder.

Step 5: Care for Chicks Daily
Feed starter feed, provide clean water, check temperature daily, and watch for signs of illness or stress.

Step 6: Gradually Reduce Heat
After the first week, lower the brooder temperature 5°F each week until chicks are fully feathered and ready for outdoor coop.