How Hens Lay Eggs and Chicks Hatch

Hi there! Today, we're going to learn how hens lay eggs and how these eggs turn into sweet little chicks. Let’s go through it step by step!

Step 1: The Hen Lays Eggs

Hens are special birds that can lay eggs. When a hen is ready, she looks for a cozy place to lay her eggs, usually in a nest. A hen can lay one egg almost every day!

Step 2: The Eggs Are Fertilized

Not all eggs will hatch into chicks. For an egg to become a chick, it needs to be fertilized by a rooster, which is a male chicken. If the hen hangs out with a rooster and he gives her a little help, then the eggs can be fertilized.

Step 3: The Hen Sits on the Eggs

After laying her eggs, the hen will sit on them. This is called 'brooding.' She keeps them warm and safe, which helps the baby chicks grow inside the eggs. The hen can sit on the eggs for about 21 days!

Step 4: The Eggs Hatch

Inside the eggs, after about three weeks, the little chicks start to get ready to hatch. They use a special beak called an 'egg tooth' to crack the shell. When the chicks are ready, they break out of their eggs and they are very wet and fluffy!

Step 5: The Chicks Are Born

Once the chicks hatch, they start to dry off and stand up. The mother hen helps take care of the new chicks, keeping them warm and showing them where to find food. The chicks are so cute, and they can walk around just a little while after they are born!

And that's how hens lay eggs and how those eggs turn into little chicks! Isn't that amazing? Now you know the whole process!


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