Thread by @agribusinesszw

Early Chick Mortality: Causes and Preventative Measures

Chicks are very delicate, especially during the first few weeks of their life. Hence, it is imperative to have sound management skills to keep your flock healthy.

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A high mortality rate is an indication that something is wrong with the flock, and it demands your immediate intervention to stop further losses as failure to do so may lead to huge losses.

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There are a number of causes, the most common ones being:
Poor genetics.
Poor management.
Nutritional disorders.
Diseases.

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Genetics
There are about 21 lethal gene mutations in birds. Most of these lead to mortality during the incubation period. However, congenital tremors and congenital loco cause the death of chicks within a week of hatching.
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High Brooding Temperature:
High brooding temperature is dangerous for your flock. Too much heat result in dehydration. Your chicks will consume more water than feed.

Low Brooding Temperature
Low brooding temperature causes chilling, and prolonged exposure to low temperatures can directly impact the immune system of the flock, thereby making birds vulnerable to diseases.

Litter Contamination
Another most crucial cause of chick mortality is - contaminated bedding materials. Some farmers use sawdust for brooding, which could be really harmful to chicks.

Starvation
Starvation is another cause of chick mortality because young chicks do not have fat storage to fulfill body needs during starvation, resulting in death.
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Injuries
It is important to handle chicks carefully during vaccination, sexing, dubbing, de-beaking, transportation from brooding farm to rearing farm, etc.; otherwise, it can cause injuries and ultimately result in death.
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Wrong feeding and drinking equipment. Too many feeders and drinkers leads to feed wastage and water spillage that results in the wet litter, which is a suitable condition for disease outbreak. Less feeders and drinkers, can cause starvation #agribusinesstalk #ZimAgricRising

High Relative Humidity
High relative humidity causes the dampness of litter material in the brooding house, facilitating the growth of microorganisms, a suitable condition for disease outbreak.
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Predators:
Poorly constructed brooding houses are again a cause of chick mortality. Predators, such as Rats, Dogs, Cats, etc., can easily make their way in the brooding place and attack your chicks.
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Nutritional Causes
Water, Fat Soluble Vitamin Deficiency, Water-Soluble Vitamin Deficiency,

Diseases

Ways to reduce early chick mortality:
Buy chicks only from trusted suppliers.
Inspect chicks on collection.
Provide chicks with optimum brooding temperature.
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Protect your chicks from cold weather.
Keep drinkers and feeders clean.
Minimize the risk of suffocation by distributing adequate feeders and drinkers.
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Put in place biosecurity measures.
Don’t feed your birds with mouldy / contaminated feed.
Ensure the availability of clean fresh water.
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Regular cleaning and disinfection is important.
Strictly follow medication and vaccination schedules.
Have a vet regularly check your flock.
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Read full article in the free March Issue
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