Simple facts about chickens

• Hens will lay eggs without a rooster.

• A rooster is needed to have fertilized eggs.

• Hens usually begin to lay eggs between 5 to 7 months of age, depending on the breed.

• It takes a hen roughly 24 hours to form an egg.

• It takes 21 days to hatch a chick from an egg.

• Only one nest box for every 3 to 4 hens is needed.

• Chickens do cry when upset or pouting.

• Most chicken breeds will eat ¾ cup of feed a day during warm months; more during cold weather.

• Egg that has been fertilized does not have a baby until after the incubation process has begun.

• A fertilized egg can begin to develop a chick at 88 degrees.