Poultry Judging Practice Test

How often should stored eggs be transported from the breeder farm to the hatchery?

1. Once a week

2. Twice a week

3. Three times a week

4. Every day

The correct answer is: Twice a week

Transporting stored eggs from the breeder farm to the hatchery twice a week is aligned with standard practices that ensure the freshness and viability of the eggs. This frequency allows for a balance between minimizing handling stress on the eggs and ensuring they are used at optimal quality for hatching. Frequent, regular transport helps to reduce the time eggs spend in storage, which is crucial since prolonged storage can lead to decreased hatchability and lower chick quality. By choosing to transport them twice a week, the operation can maintain a steady flow of eggs to the hatchery while also allowing for proper management of egg inventory and processing schedules. Transporting eggs more frequently, such as daily, may not be necessary given that eggs can often maintain viability for a reasonable period if stored under appropriate conditions. Conversely, transporting eggs less frequently, such as only once a week, could lead to a backlog and increased risk of deterioration, affecting the hatch rate negatively. Thus, transporting eggs twice a week strikes a practical balance to optimize both logistical efficiency and egg quality for the hatching process.