The Use of Egg Weight and Chick Weight Coefficients of Variation as Quality Indicators in Hatchery Management

The use of coefficients of variation (C.V.) for both egg weight at setting and chick weight as potential indicators of quality control for hatcheries and breeder flocks has been suggested. The feasibility of using C.V.'s was tested in studies with chicken and bobwhite quail eggs, these studies were conducted to obtain information on these C.V.'s under either normal condition or with changes in strain and air flow during incubation in the bobwhite. Results indicate that the C.V.'s of chick weight are higher under normal conditions than those of egg weight at setting; thus this normal difference must be considered when comparing C.V.'s. A large data base for normal C.V.'s for egg weight, transfer weight, and chick weight will be necessary for use in analyzing changes from the normal. In addition, data are needed to determine the effect of various factors on the C.V.'s and for the interpretation of changes in their magnitude.