Poultry Judging Practice Test

As a commercial poultry producer, what percentage reduction in hatchability should you expect due to malpositions and malformations?

1. 10%

2. 5%

3. 15%

4. 20%

The correct answer is: 5%

In poultry production, hatchability refers to the percentage of fertilized eggs that successfully hatch into chicks. It is influenced by several factors, including the health and quality of the eggs, incubator conditions, and the overall care of the breeding stock. A reduction in hatchability due to malpositions and malformations typically ranges around 5%. This percentage signifies that while malpositions and malformations do affect hatchability, the impact is relatively moderate compared to other factors in the incubation process. Malpositions, which occur when embryos are improperly oriented within the egg, and malformations can result in embryos not being able to hatch properly, but these issues usually lead to a smaller overall impact. Understanding the expected percentage of hatchability reduction helps producers identify egg quality issues and improve their incubation practices. This knowledge is crucial for implementing better management strategies to maximize hatchability rates, ensuring the efficiency and productivity of a poultry operation.