Survival Strategies: Hatching Chicks

The survival rate of hatching chicks is a crucial aspect of poultry management and conservation. Various factors influence the survival rate, including shipping conditions, incubation methods, and chick quality. For instance, shipping can be challenging for chicks, leading to potential losses during transportation. Self-hatched chicks tend to have higher survival rates, while early or late hatching times in hatcheries may impact chick health and weight development. Understanding these factors is essential for improving chick survival and managing animal populations effectively.

Shipping conditions: survival rates are lower for shipped chicks

Shipping conditions can be harsh on newly hatched chicks, and survival rates are often lower for shipped chicks due to various factors. Firstly, shipping companies may not always handle chicks with the required care. For example, when shipped via USPS, chicks are typically placed in the cargo hold of an airplane like regular baggage, increasing the risk of mortality. In one study, when chicks were delivered at 72 hours old, 11% were dead on arrival, and nearly 50% perished within a week. Even shorter flights showed high mortality, with 2% dead on arrival and 18% dying within a week.

Secondly, temperature control is critical for newly hatched chicks, and they struggle to maintain their body temperature when exposed to low temperatures, especially when deprived of food during shipping. A single chick can become hypothermic at 66°F (19°C) for 15 minutes, and a group of 100 chicks can face the same fate at 68°F (20°C) for three hours. Shipping in cold weather or during winter increases the risk of hypothermia and higher mortality rates.

Thirdly, shipping duration and distance play a role in chick survival. Longer transit times of three to four days are associated with higher mortality rates compared to one to two-day shipping. Chicks are also susceptible to stress and injury during transport, which can lead to death shortly after arrival, even if they appear healthy initially.

Lastly, shipping companies may not always prioritize the welfare of live animals, and delays or lost shipments can occur, further endangering the chicks. It is advisable to choose a reputable hatchery that ships express and avoids winter shipping to reduce the travel time and potential exposure to harsh conditions.

While most shipped chicks do survive, significant losses can occur in certain shipments due to the above-mentioned factors. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the potential risks and choose a hatchery or breeder close to your location to minimize transport time and adverse shipping conditions.

Hatching time: early/late hatching affects chick weight and behaviour

The length of the embryonic period varies among and within species and can affect the individual phenotype in many ways, both physiologically and behaviourally. In chickens, the hatch window may last 24–48 hours (up to 10% of the incubation time). Studies have shown that incubation length may affect post-hatch growth and physiology. However, little is known about the effects on behaviour.

Investigations of the effect of differences in hatching times may contribute to an increased understanding of how individuals within a batch differ from each other. This is an important aspect for commercial hatching industries, where the goal is to achieve a homogenous and well-performing batch. Studies have demonstrated an interaction between the time of hatching and the time until the chick has access to food and water. In commercial settings, hatched chicks are removed from the incubator only when most eggs have already hatched, leading to differences in the time from hatching to feeding. Early hatchers thus spend more time in the sub-optimal hatcher environment, which also affects them differently than late hatchers when it comes to post-hatch growth development.

One study found that the feeding behaviour of broilers was affected by differences in hatch time, which partly explained post-hatch growth differences. However, no studies have been performed investigating the effect of different hatching times on fear behaviours and learning, both crucial from an evolutionary and applied perspective. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the effects of early and late hatching on a number of behavioural traits in young chickens, as an example of a precocial bird species.

For females, there was a negative correlation between hatch time and body weight from day 4 and throughout the experiment. For males, such a correlation was only observed when testing all hatched males up until day 10. The birds were exposed to a number of behavioural tests, and a principal components analysis was performed on the variables, resulting in four components. For the largest component, termed “Passivity”, a tendency of a difference was found between early and middle male hatchers. Furthermore, a significant difference between early and middle male hatchers was found in the second component, termed “Response to novelty”. In a spatial learning test, late hatchers tended to learn slower. The behaviour of females was not significantly affected by hatching time in any of these tests.

Incubation: self-hatched chicks have higher survival rates

Incubation plays a crucial role in the survival rates of hatching chicks. The process of self-hatching allows chicks to develop stronger and more resilient characteristics, contributing to their higher survival rates compared to shipped chicks.

Self-hatched chicks have a higher likelihood of survival due to the absence of shipping-related stressors. Shipping can be challenging for chicks, and it is not uncommon for some to perish during transportation. Stress from shipping can also impact their health, making them more susceptible to illness or death upon arrival. In contrast, self-hatched chicks avoid these risks and tend to have better overall survival rates.

The survival rate of self-hatched chicks can be influenced by various factors, including the quality of incubation and the care provided after hatching. For example, ensuring that self-hatched chicks receive adequate food and water, maintaining a suitable environment, and preventing health issues like "pasty butt" are essential for their survival.

The hatching process itself also affects survival rates. Chicks that hatch early may be more prone to dehydration, while those that hatch late can experience leg weakness. Additionally, the timing of shipping can impact survival, as winter is generally not an ideal season for shipping chicks due to the potential for harsh weather conditions.

By understanding the factors that contribute to the survival rates of self-hatched chicks, poultry enthusiasts and farmers can implement best practices to maximize the chances of their chicks' survival and overall health. This may include considerations such as the number of chicks hatched at once, the availability of appropriate food and water sources, and the provision of a safe and comfortable environment for the chicks to thrive.

Weather: temperature and humidity affect survival rates

Weather conditions, particularly temperature and humidity, can significantly impact the survival rates of hatching chicks.

During shipping, temperature fluctuations can stress the chicks, reducing their chances of survival. Extreme temperatures, especially during winter in northern states, can be detrimental. Regulating temperature is crucial, as even slight deviations can affect hatch percentages. The optimal eggshell temperature is considered to be 100°F (37.8°C), and modern setters are equipped with devices to monitor and maintain this temperature.

Humidity is another critical factor. Embryos require an appropriate humidity level to regulate water loss and ensure adequate weight loss during incubation. Higher humidity reduces water loss, which can lead to an insufficiently sized air cell, impacting the embryo's ability to inflate its lungs. Conversely, excessive water loss can cause embryo dehydration. Therefore, maintaining optimal humidity is essential for achieving high hatchability and chick quality.

The mother hen's natural behaviour provides insights into optimal environmental conditions. Her attentiveness to the nest during the brooding period influences temperature, CO2 levels, and humidity, indicating the ideal requirements for developing embryos.

Additionally, ventilation control systems in modern setters and hatchers can automatically adjust humidity levels based on CO2 levels, ensuring uniform environmental conditions.

While specific survival rate calculations for hatching chicks regarding weather conditions were not readily available, the provided information highlights the critical role of temperature and humidity in maximizing survival rates.

Chick quality: smaller, less active chicks are less likely to survive

Smaller, less active chicks are less likely to survive. This is due to a variety of factors, including genetic, management, disease, and nutritional causes. For example, chicks that are smaller and less active may not be able to compete with larger, more dominant chicks for food and resources. This can result in malnutrition and a higher susceptibility to disease, further decreasing their chances of survival.

In addition, the brooding environment plays a crucial role in chick survival. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and air quality must be carefully controlled to create optimal conditions for young chicks. For instance, high brooding temperatures can cause dehydration in chicks, leading to reduced feed intake and growth, and potentially death. Similarly, low brooding temperatures can cause chilling, impacting the immune system and making chicks more vulnerable to diseases.

The quality of chicks at the time of purchase is also important. Buying from trusted suppliers with a history of healthy parent stocks can reduce the likelihood of early chick mortality due to low genetic background or other health issues.

Furthermore, shipping conditions can greatly affect the survival rate of hatching chicks. Stress, rough handling, and extreme weather conditions during transport can increase the likelihood of chick mortality.

To calculate the survival rate of hatching chicks, one can keep track of the number of chicks that survive to adulthood or a specified time period, and express it as a percentage of the initial number of chicks. However, it is important to note that some level of early chick mortality is normal, with a rate of 1-5% considered acceptable in a poultry farm.

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