Egg Incubation Processes and Characteristics

The outer layer of an egg, made of calcium carbonate, that protects the developing embryo and allows gas exchange.

A small air space within the egg located at the wider end, allowing for gas exchange and providing space for the chick to breathe.

The inner layers of the eggshell, made of thin membranes, that provide further protection and create the air chamber.

The process of water loss from the egg during incubation, essential for the chick's development and controlled by the eggshell's permeability.

The clear, liquid portion of the egg, mostly water, containing proteins and nutrients.

The yolk of the egg, rich in fats, proteins, and essential nutrients, serving as food for the developing embryo.

The process of the eggshell becoming more permeable to water and gases as the incubation temperature increases, allowing water to evaporate and oxygen to enter.

A measure of the egg's freshness based on the height of the thick white compared to the egg's weight.

The shape of the egg, usually determined by the breed of the hen.

A quantitative measure of egg shape, calculated by multiplying the width to length ratio by 100.

A condition where the eggshell is thin, often due to factors like high temperature, calcium deficiency, or stress.

A noticeable characteristic of eggs, determined by pigments in the shell for chickens, and possibly the cuticula for other birds.

A breed of chicken known for laying blue eggs.

The first eggs laid in a series, often darker in color than subsequent eggs.

A thin, transparent membrane that covers the eggshell, sometimes contributing to the egg's color in some birds.

The period during which a hen lays eggs consecutively, determined by the number of days she lays eggs before taking a break.

A period of time when a hen doesn't lay eggs, occurring after she completes a laying series. This break is usually about one day.

After a hen lays an egg, her body gets ready to release another egg within roughly 30 minutes. This process happens every day, except after a laying series when it takes 16-18 hours.

A hen's ability to lay eggs consecutively is influenced by how much of the hormones FSH and LH she produces. Good layers, those who lay many eggs in a series, are likely to have higher levels of these hormones.

Laying chickens are expected to lay 300-500 eggs a year, while meat chickens (broilers) lay fewer eggs (190-200) per year. Other bird species exhibit a range of egg production patterns, as seen in Table 2.1.

The process of an egg being laid by a chicken.

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a role in muscle contractions during oviposition.

The time of year when a chicken lays eggs. This is influenced by the length of the day.

The structure in mammals responsible for producing progesterone. It's not present in chickens.

A structure in female chickens where sperm from the rooster is stored.

The external opening of the reproductive tract in chickens.

The phase in which female animals are sexually receptive. Chickens don't have this.

The process of an egg moving out of the uterus through muscle contractions.

The phase in which a fertilized egg develops inside the mother.

The process of a fertilized egg developing inside the mother. Chickens don't gestate.

The part of the oviduct where the egg cell is fertilized by the sperm and the egg is surrounded by the shell membrane.

The part of the oviduct where the egg white is formed by glands in the wall, surrounding the egg cell.

The part of the oviduct where the two shell membranes are added around the yolk.

The part of the oviduct where the egg shell is formed by the deposition of calcium.

The final part of the oviduct, where the egg is passed out of the body.

A reproductive organ in a female chicken that produces eggs.

The reproductive organ of a male chicken that produces sperm.

A hormone that stimulates the development of female characteristics, such as plumage and behavior.

A hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics, such as the comb and wattles.

The process of releasing a mature egg from the ovary.