Market Broiler Management Practice Test

What should the yolk content be less than as a percentage of total chick weight?

1. 5%

2. 8%

3. 10%

4. 12%

The correct answer is: 10%

The yolk content in a chick is important because it serves as a vital source of nutrition during the early stages of life, providing essential fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals needed for growth and development before the chick begins to consume external feed. The ideal percentage of yolk content is recognized to be less than 10% of the total chick weight. This standard is based on research indicating that a yolk content higher than this threshold can indicate that the chick may not have fully utilized the yolk sac nutrient reserves, which could signify underlying health problems or poor hatchability. Thus, maintaining yolk content below 10% ensures that the chicks are capable of transitioning effectively from relying on the yolk for nourishment to feeding on rations provided by the broiler operations. This transition is critical for optimal growth performance and overall health of the chicks as they develop into market-ready broilers.