The Chronology of Fetal Development
Maxine Kinne

Age (weeks) Stage of Development
End of embryo stage Abdominal wall closed
Genital "bump" in females; penile sheath in males
Top of brain visible through soft, membranous skull roof
Limb segments apparent
Differentiation of mouth, nostrils, digits and dew claws

6-7

Mammary buds in females; empty scrotal sac in males
Jugular vein barely visible through the pink skin

7-8

Eyelids close and ear canal opens
Membranous soft center in the top of the head

8-9

Jugular vein, facial vein and scrotal vessels all visible
Nostrils open

10-11

Hairs appear on eyelids

11-12

Ear vein prominent
Hairs on eyelids and muzzle

12-13

Hairs on forehead
Pigmentation around horn pits
Testes palpable in scrotum

13-14

Skin whitish and thicker
Jugular, facial and scrotal veins no longer visible
Ear vein visible
Hairs along top of the neck
Top of the head has hardened

14-15

Hairs on chest
Eyelids separated
Temporary teeth buds just appear

16-17

Body sparsely covered with hair, except limbs

17-20

Dense hairs cover body and limbs
Teeth buds prominent

20

1-3 incisors barely erupted in females at birth
Incisors at gum line in males at birth
Adapted from "Foetal Age Estimation in Sheep & Goats," M.N. Sivchelvan, M. Ghali Ali, G.A. Chibuzo, Small Ruminant Research, The Journal of the International Goat Association, Volume 19/1 (1996), Elsevier Science.



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