Poultry Judging Practice Test

Approximately how long is the chicken oviduct in an egg-producing hen?

1. 50 centimeters

2. 78 centimeters

3. 100 centimeters

4. 30 centimeters

The correct answer is: 78 centimeters

The chicken oviduct in an egg-producing hen is approximately 78 centimeters long. This structure plays a crucial role in the reproductive process, as it is responsible for the formation of the egg. The oviduct is where the yolk, which is released from the ovary, is surrounded by the egg white, membranes, and shell as it progresses through the various sections of the oviduct. Each segment of the oviduct contributes specific components to the egg—such as the infundibulum capturing the yolk, the magnum adding egg white, and the isthmus forming the shell membranes, culminating in the shell gland where the hard shell is formed. This length is significant and reflects the complexity of avian reproductive anatomy, emphasizing the efficiency and specialization of the oviduct for egg production. Other lengths may not adequately represent the typical anatomy found in an egg-laying hen's reproductive system.