Brooding Time

The hen broods during nearly 21 days before the hatching occurs. During the brooding time, the hen only leaves the nest to eat. Ideally, the nest must be placed in a calm place of the hen house.

At the 15th day of brooding time, the chick is still in its shell, and the plumage appears.

After 21 days, the chick manages to turn itself in the egg to reach the air cell: it is the first time that it breathes. Its nozzle is then robust enough to break the shell.

The hatching happens in about half an hour. The chick is covered with down.

Nidifugous, the chick leaves the nest to seek its food, then returns under the hen to be heated. It gains finally its independence at 6 weeks: it is then a chicken.