How long does a chicken egg take to hatch?

About 21 days under correct incubation conditions, typically around 37.5°C with controlled humidity and regular turning.

Are table eggs fertilised?

In commercial production, table eggs are usually unfertilised because hens are kept without roosters.

Does shell colour affect nutrition?

No. Shell colour is breed dependent. Nutrition differences, if any, come from the hen's diet, not shell colour.

Difference Between Table Eggs and Hatched Eggs – And How Hens Lay Eggs Without a Rooster

Q: Do hens need a rooster to lay eggs?

No. Hens ovulate and form eggs on a regular cycle without a rooster. A rooster is only required if you want fertilised eggs that can hatch.

Eggs are everywhere in our kitchens, but not all eggs serve the same purpose. In poultry, we broadly see two types: table eggs for eating and hatched eggs for producing chicks. Here’s the no-nonsense breakdown, plus a simple explainer of how hens lay eggs even when there is no rooster around.

Table Eggs – Eggs for Eating

What they are: Eggs collected for human consumption.
Fertilisation: Usually unfertilised because commercial flocks keep hens without roosters.
Processing: Collected, cleaned, graded by size and weight, then packed.
Usage: Food. That’s it. No incubation, no chicks.

Hatched Eggs – Eggs for Chicks

What they are: Fertilised eggs laid by hens that have mated with a rooster.
Incubation: Kept at about 37.5°C with proper humidity and turning. The embryo develops and hatches in about 21 days.
Usage: Breeding and flock renewal, not for eating once incubation begins.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Table Eggs	Hatched Eggs
Fertilised	Usually no	Yes
Purpose	Human consumption	Produce chicks
Handling	Clean, grade, pack	Incubate with temperature, humidity, turning
Timeline	Shelf life 2 to 3 weeks refrigerated	Hatch in about 21 days
Common where	Layer farms	Hatcheries or under broody hens

How Hens Form Eggs Without a Rooster

Hens lay eggs on a natural cycle. A rooster doesn’t trigger laying; he only provides sperm for fertilisation. The assembly line inside the hen runs like this:

Ovary releases the yolk – a mature ovum detaches and enters the oviduct.
Fertilisation window – if sperm is present, fertilisation happens here. If not, the journey continues unfertilised.
Albumen layers – as the yolk travels, the egg white forms around it.
Shell membranes – two protective membranes wrap the albumen.
Shell formation – in the shell gland, calcium carbonate builds the hard shell over roughly 20 hours. Pigments may colour the shell.
Egg laying – the complete egg is laid via the cloaca, ready for collection.

Think of it like human ovulation. The body runs the cycle anyway. Presence or absence of sperm only decides whether it becomes a developing embryo.

Why Do Domestic Hens Lay So Frequently

Selective breeding. Modern layer breeds like White Leghorns can produce around 280 to 320 eggs per year, far more than their wild ancestor, the Red Junglefowl. Humans selected for frequent laying so food supply stays steady round the year.

Extra Notes Most Folks Miss

Shell colour depends on breed, not on nutrition. Nutrition affects yolk colour and overall quality, not the shell shade.
Starter age – pullets begin laying at around 18 to 20 weeks.
Candling – shining light through the egg helps check fertility and embryo development without breaking the shell.
Calcium demand – shells are calcium carbonate, so layers need adequate dietary calcium for strong shells.

FAQs

Do hens need a rooster to lay eggs

No. Hens lay whether or not a rooster is present. A rooster is required only if you want fertilised eggs that can hatch.

Is it safe to eat fertilised eggs

Yes, if they have not been incubated and are handled like normal table eggs. Once incubation starts, the contents change and they are not harvested for eating.

Does egg size affect nutrition

Larger eggs generally have more total protein and fat because they contain more yolk and white. Per gram, nutrition is similar.

How can I tell if an egg is fresh

The float test is a quick home check. Fresher eggs tend to sink in water. Also, store eggs refrigerated and use within 2 to 3 weeks for best quality.

Egg formation stages inside the hen’s oviduct.

Bottom Line

Table eggs feed us. Hatched eggs produce chicks. The hen’s system builds eggs on schedule; a rooster only decides whether that egg carries an embryo. Simple biology, zero drama.

Related reads: Egg storage tips | Backyard incubation basics