During the brooding process, weighing birds helps to assess the success of the transition from the hatchery to the barn and can be a predictor for overall flock growth. Assessing chick weights helps to assess the average weight (and weight gain) and flock uniformity. Weighing chicks on the day of placement will allow farmers to assess flock uniformity, while weighing chicks at day seven and 14 will allow for an assessment of weight gain and opportunities for management considerations. Day seven weights should be anywhere from four to five times higher than the weight at day of placement.

There is a strong correlation between body weights at seven days and the body weights at processing, further re-enforcing the importance of the brooding period on flock performance.

This data can be used by farmers to assess if there are opportunities for improvements, and can be used to discuss with value-chain stakeholders about chick quality.