There are two parts to a hen's reproductive tract called the oviduct and ovaries. The ova or yolk of the egg develops in the ovaries of the hen and when the ova has finished developing it is released into the oviduct which is called ovulation. "In the oviduct, glands secrete substances that form other parts of the egg, such as the albumen (egg white) and the shell. The total time a hen’s body takes to transform a yolk into a fully developed egg and lay that egg is about 25 to 26 hours. Typically, about 30 to 75 minutes after a hen lays an egg, the ovary releases the next ovum. However, the female chicken reproductive system is sensitive to light exposure, especially the number of hours of light in a day. In chicken hens, ovulation usually occurs under normal daylight conditions and almost never after 3:00 p.m. So, when a hen lays an egg too late in the day, the next ovulation occurs the following day, and the hen has a day when it does not lay an egg" (Dr. Jacquie Jacob).
Watch this virtual reproduction of the hen's reproductive tract which shows how an egg is fertilized, how it travels through the reproductive tract of the hen, it is fertilized, and protected by bacteria, and pushed out of the hen's body.

Featured Video: Virtual + Chicken SD (Animated Video of A Hen's Reproductive Tract)

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References:
1. Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky. Avian reproductive system. Retrieved on August 20, 2024 from https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-anatomy/avian-reproductive-female/#:~:text=The%20reproductive%20system%20of%20a,the%20ovary%20into%20the%20oviduct.
2. Video: Virtual + chicken SD. (June 3, 2014).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6j13-9Pexw