Did the Chicken Really Come Before the Egg? Here’s What Science Says

For centuries, the age-old question of “What came first: the chicken or the egg?” has intrigued scientists, philosophers, and the general public. Recently, scientists have suggested a compelling answer: the chicken came first, not the egg. The reasoning behind this conclusion is rooted in the biology of eggshell formation.

According to researchers, a specific protein, known as ovocleidin-17 (OC-17), plays a crucial role in forming eggshells. This protein is found only in the ovaries of hens, and without it, the hard eggshell required for housing and protecting the developing chick could not form. In other words, an egg would not be able to exist without the hen’s unique protein, leading scientists to conclude that the chicken, or at least an ancestor with similar biological functions, had to exist before the egg as we know it.

The discovery was made possible by advanced protein analysis and computer modeling, which allowed scientists to observe the critical role OC-17 plays in transforming calcium carbonate into the hardened shell around the egg. This protein-assisted process is essential for the development of bird eggs with shells sturdy enough to support and nurture life.

This conclusion sheds light on evolutionary biology and supports the idea that a mutation in a bird resembling a chicken likely gave rise to the first “true” chicken. Over generations, these birds continued to reproduce, giving rise to the species we now recognize as the domestic chicken.

Ultimately, this scientific perspective brings clarity to one of humanity’s longest-debated questions. By focusing on the unique biological processes required to produce an egg, researchers have leaned toward the idea that the chicken indeed came first, a conclusion that challenges common assumptions and highlights the fascinating complexity of evolution.