Hatching Egg (Fertile Egg)
A hatching egg (fertile egg), or zygote, is the starting point of life for many organisms. Here's a breakdown with numbers:
Size
Microscopic: Typically less than 0.1 millimeters in diameter.
Temperature
Optimal incubation temperature: 37.5°C (99.5°F) for chicken eggs. Range for successful incubation: 37-38°C (98.6-100.4°F).
Humidity
Ideal humidity for chicken egg incubation: 50-60% relative humidity.
Development Timeline (Chicken Egg)
Stage 1: Blastoderm Formation (Days 1-3)
The hatching egg (fertile egg) undergoes rapid cell division, forming a blastoderm, a flat layer of cells.
Stage 2: Embryonic Development (Days 4-18)
The embryo starts to develop organs and body parts.
Stage 3: Pipping and Hatching (Days 19-21)
The chick begins to break out of the shell, a process that can take up to 24 hours.