For those that haven't seen it before (and even for those that have - certainly the wonder never fades for me!), here are some pictures of a chick emerging from its shell:
First, the chick pecks its way around the shell, enlarging the little breathing hole that it made when it first "pipped".
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Then, suddenly, it's able to push the top off the shell.
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This one freed its bottom half first. Normally it's the head that comes out of the shell "cap" first, followed by the body. I can see that this one is going to be contrary!
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And eventually, barring a few shell fragments, it's free of the shell, and lies exhausted. Soon it will dry out and become the classic cute fluffy chick. Tomorrow we'll transfer this one and his or her brothers and sisters to the brooder, and the start of their new life.
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