Poultry Judging Practice Test

At what age do broilers typically go to market?

1. 4 weeks

2. 6 weeks

3. 8 weeks

4. 10 weeks

The correct answer is: 6 weeks

Broilers are typically raised for about 6 weeks before they reach market weight, which is generally around 4-5 pounds for conventional broiler production. This timeframe allows producers to efficiently grow the birds to an optimal size for meat production using carefully managed nutrition, housing, and environmental conditions. Choosing 6 weeks aligns with industry standards; it's the age where broilers can reach the desired weight while maintaining good feed conversion ratios and health. Early harvesting at 4 weeks is usually not feasible as the birds would not have achieved adequate weight. At 8 weeks, the birds may be overgrown, leading to potential issues with meat quality. Delaying to 10 weeks would be even more inefficient in terms of feed costs and may also raise concerns regarding the health and welfare of the birds as they age.