First the yolk (or ‘oocyte’) is produced in the ovary and then released into the oviduct. This is the point at which fertilisation will happen, with any luck, if the hen has mated with a rooster. If not, the egg will remain unfertilised. As the egg continues down the oviduct the albumen (egg white) is laid down, followed by the egg shell. The egg shell is initially flexible (much to the relief of your chickens), but it quickly hardens once the egg has been laid. EGG SHAPE The familiar pinched oval shape of the egg is no accident. It offers a lot of important advantages to the chicken and any potential chicks growing inside. First, the arched ‘dome’ is one of the strongest architectural forms, because it distributes weight and pressure PART 1 IT TAKES ABOUT 24 HOURS FOR A HEN TO MAKE AND LAY AN EGG. DID YOU KNOW? Eggs play a large part in creating the texture of cakes and other baked goods, which is why the size of the egg as well as the number of eggs to use are listed in recipes. equally across the entire structure. Try squeezing an egg from the ends and you’ll see what we mean. The pointed oval is also the easiest shape for the hen to lay, which is no small thing when she’s laying up to 300 of them a year! AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS 10 | THE CHOOK BOOK