Life Cycle of a Chicken, A Complete Guidance

A chicken life cycle is continuous. It starts from fertilization and then goes to maturity, followed by a new cycle. Chickens are domesticated animals of the subspecies Gallus gallus domesticus and have been domesticated for thousands of years. The life cycle of a chicken is crucial because an efficient poultry farming system depends on the knowledge of understanding the life cycle for eventual good health, egg production, and meat quality. Awareness of chicken development contributes to vital insights about the biology and farming, as well as care and management of the interesting birds.

Chicken Life Cycle Consists of Four Main Processes 

1. Egg 
2. Chick 
3. Pullet/Cockerel (adolescent)
4. Mature hen or rooster 

Within each extreme, a chicken’s lifespan fluctuates quite a bit depending on breed and environment, but generally, evidence shows the range from 5 to 10 years. Yet, in commercial places, chickens are often kept for very brief periods according to their respective purposes (i.e., egg-laying or meat production).

The Life Cycle of a Chicken Egg

The life cycle of a chicken egg begins within the reproductive system of the hen. After mating with a rooster, fertilization occurs in the infundibulum when sperm cells meet with the ovum (yolk). The fertilized egg then moves along the oviduct, and deposited around the yolk are layers of albumen (egg white), membranes, and a hard calcium carbonate shell.

• Time of Egg Formation: Approx. 24 to 26 hours per egg. 
• The structure of the egg: Yolk (nourishing), albumen, membranes, and shell.

Hatching: The Beginning of the Life Cycle of a Chick

From the time a chick breaks through its egg, a life cycle begins. Approximately at day 21 to break open the eggshell is called “pipping.” It may take hours for the chick to get free. Newly hatched chicks are not robust-like being covered by soft, fluffy down feathers. They are wet and weak initially, but dry off and become quite active within a few hours. The first 72 hours are critical to survival, requiring:

• Warmth (ideally 95°F or 35°C, gradually reduced over weeks)
• Access to clean water and protein, and energy-rich starter feed
• Protection from predators and drafts

The chick’s immune system is not yet mature. Therefore, it should be given proper hygiene and care to prevent diseases.

Also Read about Chicken Rates and Chicken Recipes.

The Chick Stage: Growth and Development

During this phase, rapid growth and physical change are taking place in the chick. From the life cycle of a chick:

• Feathering: From down feathers to juvenile feathers, replacement occurs between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks.
• Behavior: Chicks learn to peck, scratch, and socialize with the rest of the flock.
• Diet: Starter feeds that are high in protein (18 to 20% protein) support muscle and organ development.
• Health: Vaccination and biosecurity procedures are routinely implemented against the common diseases of Marek’s disease or coccidiosis.

These chicks grow rapidly, doubling their weight every few days for the first few weeks. They begin to develop their calling sounds and behaviors, such as peck orders, to establish social hierarchies within the group.

The Adolescent Phase in the Life Cycle of a Chicken

This is the adolescent period, pullet for females and cockerel for males. This is a transitional stage wherein chickens simply mature but are, from the aspect of development and behavior, not yet into adult phase.

• Age Range: Approximately 6 to 18 weeks.
• Physical Changes: In this period, the pullets grow comb and wattle, albeit smaller than adults, while the cockerels develop almost fully sized combs and wattles along with tail feathers.
• Maturity: Pullets get to maturity and start to lay small eggs after 16 and 20 weeks.
• Behavioral Changes: Cockerels may also start crowing and displaying dominant behavior.

Proper nutrition passes to grower feed with a little lower protein (16-18%) and balanced with vitamins and minerals required for bone and muscle growth. This phase is vital for future egg production and the overall health of these birds.

Adult Stage: Mature Hen and Rooster in the Life Cycle of a Chicken

After 5 to 6 months, chickens become adults:

1. Hens: During this period, she usually starts laying and does so every day or every other day, depending on the breed and conditions.
2. Roosters: By this time, they are fully mature, crowing, mating, and being territorial.

Factors Influencing the Life Cycle of a Chicken

Environmental and Biological Factors Affecting Each Stage of the Life Cycle of a Chicken:

1. Temperature and Humidity: Important during incubation; atypical conditions may lead to death or malformation of embryos.
2. Nutrition: Balanced diets at each stage will guarantee good growth and production.
3. Genetics: Different breeds have different growth rates, egg-laying abilities, and life spans.
4. Health Care: Vaccination, parasite control, and clean housing are ways to keep diseases at bay.
5. Social environment: Excessive crowding or bullying would cause stress, which in turn would affect growth and egg production.
6. Predation and Safety: Protection from predators is most necessary when chicks and young birds are involved.

Conclusion

The life cycle of a chicken is a breathtaking natural process that displays growth, adaptation, and reproduction. No incubating eggs or growing chickens or roosters would be possible without the full development and maturation of the embryos in all stages of fertilization that have assumed forms vital to the perpetuation of the species. To know about this, whether you are a farmer wishing to maximize productivity for your poultry enterprises.

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