Final answer:
The total time from ovulation to oviposition (egg laying) in the chicken is approximately 24-26 hours, involving the release, fertilization (if applicable), and encasement of the egg before it is laid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the timeline of egg development and laying in chickens, or hens, which is a biological process. The total time that elapses from ovulation to oviposition in the chicken is approximately 24-26 hours. Ovulation in chickens is the process during which the ovary releases an egg, or oocyte, which then travels down the oviduct. Oviposition refers to the laying of an egg, marking the end of the egg's journey through the oviduct. After ovulation, the egg is fertilized (if sperm are present), encased in layers of albumen, membranes, and shell, and finally laid by the hen.