Selection criteria

Selection criteria

There are various abnormalities or deviations based on which chicks are rejected and separated from other chicks. As a general rule: the older the parent stock, the more difficult the incubation process. There is a clear difference between the hatchery manager’s and the quality control employee’s assessment. The hatchery manager’s primary goal is to improve the incubation process.

First impression: vitality and uniformity

The aim of quality control at the selection table is to deliver good chicks by removing the bad ones. The manager only needs to be informed if selection flags up many deviations from the required standards. Rejecting 1-2% of the chicks is still acceptable, but the hatchery manager must be informed if the percentage is any higher.

Lively and active (will stand up from lying on its back within 3 seconds). Normal and preferably uniform in size.

Lethargic and weak (takes longer than 3 seconds to stand from lying on its back). Separate chicks that are lying on their backs in the crate. copyright protected The legs should feel warmer when pressed against your cheek. The thermal image on the left shows warm legs. The legs in the image on the right are cold (they should appear lighter yellow than the hand).

The eyes are clear, clean, and open (but the chick is still wet: pulled too early?). Dull eyes.