At this stage, chickens are moved to the outdoor coop. They are technically "pullets" (females) or "cockerels" (males).
Once a year, usually in autumn, chickens "molt." They stop laying eggs and shed their old feathers to grow a fresh, warm coat for winter. Act V: The Retirement Years (Year 3+) As a hen ages, her egg production naturally slows down. Chicken Life Script
The heart begins to beat, and blood vessels spider-web across the yolk. At this stage, chickens are moved to the outdoor coop
Older hens often become the "grandmas" of the flock, teaching younger birds where to find the best bugs and how to stay safe from predators. Act V: The Retirement Years (Year 3+) As
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.
The story begins before the chick even meets the world. Inside a fertilized egg, a complex 21-day countdown takes place:
A healthy hen is at her most productive during her first two years, often laying 250–300 eggs per year depending on the breed.