Day old chick quality is directly related to field performance because maximum developed chicks show better growth, better breast meat yield, better egg production and better livability in the field. The evaluation of chick quality can be used to evaluate the incubation process and is used as an instrument to predict chick performance. Chick quality can be measured using several methods and every method has its own characteristics. The method chosen is dependant on the desired goal of the measurement and every method should be practical, precise, reliable, and quick and easy to perform. The two most common methods to evaluate chick quality are day old chick weight and chick length. The goal of both methods is to predict the chick development. Day old chick weight, however, does not give an accurate indication of chick development. Chick body weight as parameter: difficult and misleading Body Weight is measured by weighing the whole chick. To calculate an average body weight of the population, approximately 70 animals need to be weighed. Body weight contains an unknown amount of residual yolk, which does not express the development of the bird. A heavy chick may have a small yolk free body mass and a large yolk. This is not a well-developed chick. Evaluating chick quality by measuring body weight is therefore difficult and can be misleading. Chick length: the perfect parameter for chick quality Chick length is an ideal method to evaluate chick quality which is fast, repeatable and non-destructive. Only 25 birds need to be sampled to obtain a good evaluation. The evaluation is done by stretching the chick along a ruler and measuring the length from tip of beak to end of middle toe. Chick length has proven to be positively correlated with body weight at a later age and can therefore give a good prediction of chick development. 1cm longer at hatch results in increased slaughter weight The more efficiently the embryo utilizes the available energy and nutrients within the egg the better, the development and the longer the chick measures in length. Research shows that a 1 cm chick length advantage at day of hatch resulted in, on average, 264 grams more body weight with 45 grams more breast meat yield at 38 days (male broilers). This represents an increase of 12%. This, and the fact that an optimally developed chick will have a better feed conversion rate, amounts to increased profit. 1 cm the decisive difference in chick length Perfect incubation leads to maximum chick development To hatch a maximum developed chick the correct embryo temperature must be maintained throughout the entire incubation process. Key to the HatchTech setters and hatchers is the revolutionary concept of laminar airflow guaranteeing uniform embryo temperatures of 100°F. Laminar airflow is achieved by utilizing perforated radiators. This creates optimal microclimates that surround the embryos. Embryos within this environment develop efficiently into maximum developed chicks, in other words, long chicks. The HatchTech incubation process produces the longest chicks with the highest performance potential, which in turn results in increased profit. Profitability by increasing chick length. Measuring chick quality Chick length is measured by stretching the chick along a ruler and measuring the length from tip of beak to end of middle toe. Evaluating one random box of chicks from each breeder flock on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly, provides a good tool to evaluate the incubation process in the hatchery. Specific questions about measuring chick length and how to interpret the results will be answered in the HatchTech Chick Length kit. Request the HatchTech Chick Length Kit at www.chicklength.com The Research department of HatchTech has done several studies into chick length. For the articles of these studies click here.