The egg, that everyday and nutritious food, hides a fascinating biological process that occurs inside the bodies of birds, especially chickens. Have you ever wondered how an egg is formed? The answer is a surprising journey through the chicken’s body, which lasts approximately 24 to 26 hours.
It all begins in the ovary, where the eggs develop. In chickens, these eggs are nothing more than developing yolks. Once the yolk is ready, it is released and begins its journey through the oviduct, a long tube divided into several specialized sections.
In the first part of the oviduct, called the infundibulum, the yolk can be fertilized if it has been in contact with a rooster. It then passes to the magnum, where the protein-rich egg white, or albumen, is added. This process takes about three hours.
The developing egg then continues to the isthmus, where the internal and external membranes that protect the contents are formed. Finally, it reaches the uterus, or shell gland, where the calcium needed to form the hard shell is deposited. This stage is the longest, taking between 18 and 20 hours.
The final step occurs in the cloaca, where the fully formed egg is expelled. Surprisingly, hens can lay an egg almost every day thanks to the efficiency of this process.
This natural mechanism is not only astonishing from a biological perspective, but also represents a perfect balance between nutrition, protection, and evolution. The shell protects, the white nourishes, and the yolk contains the potential embryo.
So the next time you see an egg on your plate, remember that it’s not just food: it’s the result of a meticulous and amazing biological process. A true miracle of nature… inside a shell!