Chicken Life Cycle
Hey everyone, welcome back to Feathered Mates! Today I will talk to you about the chicken life cycle. Chicken is a very popular bird among domesticated birds. If you are in love with a pet bird, be sure to learn about their life cycle.
The chicken life cycle is a fascinating journey that begins with an egg and transforms into a fully grown hen or rooster. Understanding the life cycle of poultry helps breeders, backyard farmers, and bird enthusiasts learn about chicken breeding and optimize the health and growth of their flocks. In this guide, we will explore each stage, detailing development from egg to processing while incorporating growth charts, important milestones, and embryo development stages.
The Egg Stage: The Beginning of Life
The chick life cycle starts when a fertilized egg is laid by a hen. And for a hen to hatch, the hen must mate with a rooster before the eggs are laid. As a result of the mating of chickens with roosters, the embryos develop in the eggs of chickens. If the egg is unfertilized, it remains a regular table egg.
Growth Chart: Egg Development in Chickens
- Day 1 of chick development: Cell division begins; a tiny embryo forms.
- Chicken egg on day 2: The embryo begins to take shape, with the chicken head beginning to form.
- Day 4 of chick development: Blood vessels become visible, and the heart starts beating.
- Day 5 of a chick egg: Limbs start developing, and the embryo shows movement.
- Day 9 of chicken embryo development: Feathers begin forming, and more features become distinct.
- Day 10 of chicken growth: The beak starts hardening, and egg tooth formation begins.
- Day 14 of chicken growth: The chick has most of its features, and muscles strengthen.
- What develops on the 19th day in a chicken egg: The chick starts absorbing the yolk for final energy before hatching.
The Incubation Period
Natural vs. Artificial Incubation
Hens naturally incubate eggs by sitting on them, maintaining a temperature of around 99-100°F (37.5°C) and humidity of 50-55%, which increases just before hatching. Farmers using artificial incubators must monitor temperature and humidity closely to ensure proper development.
How Long Is the Life Cycle in a Chicken’s Incubation?
The incubation period lasts 21 days. During this time, the chick undergoes significant changes inside the egg, preparing for hatching.
The Hatching Process
On day 20 or 21, the chick uses its egg tooth to break the shell. This process, known as piping, takes several hours. This is a very important time. As a responsible owner, you must take proper care of chicken eggs during this time. Once the chick hatches, it dries off and gains strength before it starts walking. And through it the chicken’s life begins.
The Chick Stage: Days 1-6 Weeks
Key Developments in Chick Growth
- Day 1-3: Chicks rest, absorb nutrients, and adjust to their surroundings.
- Day 4-7: Feathers begin to grow, and chicks start exploring their environment.
- Week 2: Chicks become more active and need more protein-rich food.
- Week 3-4: Growth accelerates, and wing feathers develop.
- Week 5-6: The first signs of gender appear, and chicks start showing dominant behaviors.
Chick Development Chart
Age | Development Stage |
Day 1 | Chick dries, rests, and starts eating |
Day 4 | Wing and tail feathers appear |
Day 10 | Faster movement, more alert behavior |
Day 14 | Feathering becomes prominent |
Week 4 | Chicks look more like small chickens |
Week 6 | Gender identification possible |
The Pullet Stage: 6 Weeks to 5 Months
This is the best stage for the full development of the chicken. Pullets (young hens) and cockerels (young roosters) start developing adult plumage. At 12-20 weeks, they transition from juvenile to adult, experiencing hormonal changes that prepare them for egg-laying or mating. At the end of this stage, the chickens begin to lay eggs and some hatch from their eggs.
The Adult Stage: 5 Months and Beyond
Hens begin laying eggs at around 5-6 months, depending on the breed. Roosters become more dominant and start mating behaviors. Chickens live 5-10 years, depending on care and breed. The period or this stage is the last stage of the chicken’s life. Because after this stage there is no variation in the size or weight of the chicken.
Egg to Processing Timeline
- Egg incubation: 21 days
- Chick stage: 0-6 weeks
- Pullet stage: 6 weeks to 5 months
- Adult stage: 5+ months
The chicken life cycle is an incredible process that starts with a tiny fertilized egg and results in a fully grown adult bird. Understanding the growth chart and development of a chick chart helps ensure healthy poultry farming. Whether raising chickens for eggs, meat, or as pets, knowing what happens at each stage ensures optimal care and successful breeding.
Click here to know How Long Do Chickens Live?
It can be said that birds are very peaceful creatures and they always fascinate us with their behavior. So, As a responsible bird owner, acquiring the necessary knowledge about birds is of course very important. Every bird owner should understand and review accurate information about birds and guide birds properly. Hope we have helped you enough to know the life cycle of a chicken. Stay with us to learn about the right bird selection, bird care, birds nests and all things related to birds. May the relationship between you and your pet become stronger.
Do you love chickens? Have you seen them in your backyard? Share your experiences in the comments below!
