The chick "pips"—it uses a temporary "egg tooth" on its beak to poke a hole into the air cell at the blunt end of the egg, taking its first breath of air.
At this stage, chickens are moved to the outdoor coop. They are technically "pullets" (females) or "cockerels" (males).
Around 18–22 weeks, the magic happens. The first egg is usually small (a "fart egg") and may have a soft shell, but soon the hen hits her stride.
The story begins before the chick even meets the world. Inside a fertilized egg, a complex 21-day countdown takes place:
The Great Escape. The chick zips around the shell and pushes itself out into the world. Act II: The Brooder Days (Weeks 1–6)
Their combs and wattles grow larger and turn a bright, healthy red. Act IV: The Golden Age of Laying (Months 5–Year 2)