A chickens journey from egg to chick is anything but ordinary. Whether you're hatching your own birds or just curious about nature’s process, this guide walks you through the entire development of a chick—step by step, week by week.
🥚 What Is an Egg, Really?
- Yolk: Packed with nutrients that feed the developing embryo
- White (Albumen): Cushions and protects
- Shell: Hard calcium layer keeping everything safe
When a rooster mates with a hen, the hen's reproductive system packages a single cell into this well-equipped vessel, forming what will become a chick.
🌱 Embryo Development: Life Begins
- Temperature: 99.5°F (37.5°C)
- Humidity: 50–60% (days 1–18), 70–75% (days 19–21)
💡 Fun Fact: If humidity is too low during hatch, chicks may get "shrink-wrapped" inside their shells and struggle to emerge.
🐣 Day 21: Hatching Is a Miracle
- Pipping: A tiny hole appears as the chick uses its egg tooth to break through
- Zipping: The chick rotates in the shell, cracking it in a line
- Hatching: After hours (sometimes 12–24!), the chick finally breaks free
🐥 Did you know? Chicks often chirp before they hatch—it's how they talk to each other and the mother hen!
Image source: Kowalski Mountain
🔥 The Brooding Stage: The First Weeks
- Heat: Start at 95°F, reduce by ~5°F weekly until fully feathered
- Feed: High-protein chick starter
- Water: Clean, shallow, and always available
- Space: Room to peck, scratch, and socialize
✅ Healthy chicks should have bright eyes, clean vents, and be alert and active.
🐔 From Pullet to Hen
- Combs and wattles become redder and fuller
- They explore nesting areas
- Then — the first egg! 🥚
📆 Chick Development Timeline
| Days | Development Milestones |
|---|---|
| 1–7 | Heartbeat, eyes, spine |
| 8–14 | Beak, feather buds, movement |
| 15–21 | Absorbs yolk, rotates, hatches |
🌎 The Cycle of Life
The egg-to-chick journey is more than just science—it’s a story of resilience and transformation. From backyard coops to large farms, this process feeds communities and sparks curiosity in learners of all ages.
📚 References & Resources
- Poultry Guide – Egg to Chick: Read the full guide
- Kowalski Mountain – What To Do After Chickens Hatch: View their homesteading blog