The egg cell (germinal disc) takes on the shape of a dark ring and tissue development begins. Our eggs are being rotated from side to side every 45 minutes to ensure that the yolk doesn't stick to the side of the egg. A mother hen usually turns her eggs about 50 times per day!

The first groove at the center of the egg cell appears.

Red spider veins appear and blood circulation starts as the heart forms and starts to beat.

The amniotic cavity, which fills with fluid to protect the embryo begins. Limb development also begins and you can see wing and leg buds.

The baby chicks did a lot of growing over the weekend! They now have eyes, a beak, an egg tooth, and comb.

The chicks’ beak, wings, and legs are recognizable and they have begun to develop feathers! If you could see inside the egg, you would be able to tell what color the eyes are.

Today, the baby chicks are able to open their mouths, their claws have appeared, and the first feather follicles are budding!

Today, the baby chicks have nostrils and eyelids! The egg-tooth, which the chick uses to break out of the egg, can easily be seen.

The embryo continues to look more and more like a chick. Today the tail feathers appear!

The embryo now has scales on the legs and claws. The eyelids have fully formed and down covers almost the entire body of the chick. The chick's head is starting to turn toward the large end of the egg where the air cell is.

The chick is starting to look more and more like a chick! The downy feathers continue to grow, covering the entire body. The head of the chick is getting into the "pipping position" which is under it's right wing.

The chick is almost fully formed and ready to hatch. The beak is pointing to the air cell and the chick has tucked its head between its legs. The yolk sac has started to be absorbed as the chick prepares to hatch.