How does a chicken's egg get its shell?

Hand holding three chicken eggs. — A chicken egg gets its shell right from birth. That's it's they do give birth. The shells are for protecting the eggs Jorn Georg Tomter / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

The shell of a chicken egg is formed by the egg itself using columns of calcite (calcium carbonate) that stack together.
This process occurs around a membrane with evenly spaced nucleation points, where the calcite, floating in solution, deposits on the shell like crystals taking form.
Defined protein nodules called mammillary protrusions are the starting points for the calcite to crystallize and build the shell.

In yet another absolutely amazing display of nature's prowess, the contents of the egg are wrapped in a perfect, seamless, incredibly strong shell as though by magic! Eggs are objects of art.

It turns out the chicken has little to do with the formation of an egg's shell -- the egg actually grows the shell around itself! It does this using processes that are also seen in bones and seashells.

Around the egg is a membrane, and evenly spaced on the membrane are points where columns of calcite (a form of calcium carbonate) form. These columns stack together side by side to form the shell. According to an incredibly interesting book called "Made to Measure" by Philip Ball:

The nucleation points are defined protein nodules called mammillary protrusions, and the mineral is first deposited as particles of aragonite with random orientation of the crystal planes. On top of these aragonite piles, columns of oriented crystalline calcite begin to grow upward.

The calcite is basically floating in solution around the shell, and it deposits on the shell like a forming crystal. The egg grows its own shell!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a chicken egg to form its shell?

The formation of a chicken egg's shell typically takes about 20 hours.

Can diet affect the quality of an eggshell?

Yes, a hen's diet significantly affects eggshell quality; a diet rich in calcium and certain vitamins is crucial for forming strong, healthy eggshells.