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Some hatchery factors involved in early chick mortality
Insights
Hatch timing significantly impacts broiler chick survival. Early hatched chicks face dehydration, late hatched chicks experience leg weakness, and prolonged holding increases mortality. Optimizing hatch times is crucial for broiler health.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Science
- Hatchery Management
Background:
- Chick hatching occurs over extended periods, impacting early-life chick health and survival.
- Broiler chick mortality and health issues are linked to hatching time and post-hatch handling.
- Understanding the effects of hatching duration is vital for commercial hatchery operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of hatching time on broiler chick mortality and health.
- To evaluate the physiological effects of prolonged holding in hatcher machines.
- To assess the efficacy of staggered setting times in reducing chick mortality.
Main Methods:
- Observational study in a commercial broiler hatchery over a 48-hour hatching period.
- Monitoring chick mortality to 10 days of age based on hatching time.
- Assessing chick health for dehydration and leg weakness.
- Measuring weight loss and yolk sac utilization in chicks held post-hatch.
Main Results:
- Mortality rates varied significantly: 3.2% (early), 1.2% (peak), and 52.9% (late hatch).
- Early hatched chicks showed increased dehydration; late hatched chicks exhibited leg weakness.
- Chicks held for 48 hours lost 12.5-21.7% of body weight and 79.4% of yolk sac weight.
- Staggered setting reduced mortality to 1.2%, while 24-hour holding in boxes at 70°C increased it to 5.6%.
Conclusions:
- Hatching time is a critical factor influencing broiler chick viability and health outcomes.
- Extended holding periods post-hatch negatively affect chick physiological status and survival rates.
- Implementing staggered setting times and prompt chick removal can significantly improve broiler chick survival in commercial hatcheries.
Abstract:
Observations made in a commerical broiler hatchery revealed that chicks hatched over a period of 48 hours. Chick mortality to 10 days of age was 3.2% for those hatched at the commencement of the hatch, 1.2% for those hatched at peak of hatch and 52.9% for those hatched at the end of hatching. Chicks hatched early were more prone to dehydration while late hatching chicks had a higher incidence of leg weakness. Chicks held for 48 hours in hatcher machines lost 12.5% to 21.7% of their hatching weight and 79.4% of the hatching weight of the yolk sac. Normal 10-day mortality from this hatchery in winter months was observed to be 2.4% but was reduced to 1.2% when staggered setting times of donor flocks was employed by removing chicks from the machines 3 hours after 100% hatch, but was increased to 5.6% by holding chicks in the hatchery in chick boxes for 24 hours at 70 degrees C.
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