Broiler breeder farms raise parent stock which produce fertilised eggs. A broiler hatching egg is never sold at stores and is not meant for human consumption. The males and females are separate genetic lines or breeds. The chicks they produce will therefore be crossbreeds or “crosses”.
Broiler breeder growing is typically a two-stage process. Parent stock purchased from a primary breeder is delivered as day old. Most are first placed with on specialist rearing houses or starter farms until approximately 18 weeks of age. The starter farm has the specialised brooding equipment to raise the chicks.
