Sophie Bennett
There are many factors that can cause a chick to die late in incubation. This could be due to environmental factors such as poor ventilation, low humidity, or high brooding temperatures. It could also be due to genetic factors, such as lethal gene mutations or vitamin deficiencies. Other factors include bacterial infections, improper handling, exposure to cold, accidental injury, and stress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Environmental factors | Sustained exothermic overheating, inadequate development caused by continuously low temperature, inadequate or uneven ventilation, exposure to cold, stress, temperature changes, humidity, low humidity, rough handling, inadequate sanitation and disinfection methods, poor egg handling, predators, high brooding temperature, dehydration, lack of immunity during the first six weeks |
| Genetic factors | Lethal gene mutations, congenital tremors, congenital loco, vitamin deficiencies |
| Other | Exhaustion, drowning, suffocation, shell thickness, malformations, bacterial infections, yolk sac absorption |
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What You'll Learn
Lethal gene mutations
The "creeper" gene, prevalent in Japanese bantams, causes a quarter of chicks to be unhatchable due to their short legs. Another example of a lethal gene is the one responsible for ear tufts in Araucanas. When a chick inherits two copies of this gene, it will typically die during days 17 to 19 of incubation or soon after hatching due to "failure to thrive." The closely related Ameraucana breed does not carry this lethal gene, as they have ear muffs instead of tufts.
Some lethal genes are breed-specific, such as the Cornish lethal gene, which causes death at the time of hatch, with signs including short beaks, wings, and bulging eyes. New Hampshires carry a lethal gene that causes death on the twentieth or twenty-first day of hatch, with symptoms such as crooked necks, short upper beaks, and shrivelled leg muscles. The silver gray Dorking breed also has a lethal gene that induces death on the ninth day of incubation, with embryos displaying short necks and beaks.
While lethal genes are a significant factor in chick mortality, it is important to consider other aspects, such as parental health, nutrition, and environmental conditions. For example, vitamin deficiencies, particularly of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble vitamins (C and B-complex), can lead to chick death. Additionally, factors like high brooding temperatures, inadequate ventilation, sudden loud noises, and exposure to predators or injuries during shipping can also contribute to chick mortality.
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Poor management
To improve management practices, it is crucial to maintain optimal temperatures and humidity levels. The recommended temperature range for embryonic development in chickens is between 37.2 and 38.6°C during the first 18 days, with a slight decrease to between 36.0 and 36.5°C in the last three days. Relative humidity is also essential, as low humidity can cause eggs to dry out too quickly, resulting in reduced hatchability rates and smaller chick sizes.
Proper hatchery building design and layout are critical for maintaining optimal environmental conditions. Incubators should be kept clean and disinfected between batches to prevent disease and ensure chick health. Additionally, proper egg-handling practices are necessary, as disturbances during the mating season or improper storage conditions can impact chick quality.
Another aspect of management is ensuring the chicks' safety from predators and preventing suffocation. Chicks are vulnerable to stress and panic caused by loud noises, which can lead to huddling and suffocation. Keeping the area free from predators and providing a cover can help reduce fright and the risk of suffocation.
Lastly, nutrition plays a vital role in chick management. Vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as vitamins C and B-Complex, are essential for normal growth, development, and reproduction. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to health issues and even death. Therefore, sound management practices that address temperature, humidity, ventilation, sanitation, egg handling, chick safety, and nutrition are crucial for reducing chick mortality and promoting their overall health and well-being.
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Vitamin deficiencies
Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and B vitamins (B12, biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamine). A severe deficiency in these vitamins can cause chick death, while a minor deficiency can lead to poor feathering, low growth, weight loss, dermatitis, nervous signs, and anemia. Young chicks are especially susceptible to infections and diseases due to a lack of immunity during the first six weeks.
Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are required for normal growth, development, and reproduction. A high deficiency can cause death, while a minor deficiency can result in cessation of growth, lacrimation, rickets, ruffled feathers, exudative diathesis, and anemia. Vitamin A is essential for the normal growth and development of skin and the linings of the digestive, reproductive, and respiratory tracts. Vitamin D3 plays a crucial role in normal growth, bone development, and eggshell formation. Vitamin K is vital for blood-clot formation, and a deficiency can lead to bleeding disorders. Vitamin E is crucial for normal reproductive performance in hens and fertility in mature males. A deficiency can lead to disorders such as encephalomalacia (crazy chick disease), exudative diathesis, and muscular dystrophy.
Overall, vitamin deficiencies can have severe impacts on the health and survival of chicks, and it is important to ensure that they receive adequate amounts of both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins to support their growth and development.
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Stress and injury during transit
The transportation of chicks can be a very stressful and dangerous process, often resulting in injury and death. After hatching, chicks are sorted into bins and placed into ventilated cardboard containers for shipping. They are then transported in unheated vehicles, exposed to jolts, bumps, and temperature changes. The conditions are stressful for infant birds, and the stress, combined with improper handling, exposure to cold, and accidental injury during transit, can cause a downward spiral that a chick's newly hatched body cannot handle, leading to death.
The stress of transportation can induce weight loss and heart injury in chicks, according to research. The transport stress disrupts ionic homeostasis and inhibits ATPase activities, increasing the risk of heart issues and weight loss. Chicks are sensitive to stress, and the impact of transport stress can vary from mild discomfort to death.
In addition to the physical challenges of transport, the psychological stress of being separated from their mother and exposed to new environments can also take a toll on chicks. They may experience fear and anxiety during transit, which can further compromise their health.
To reduce the risk of chick death during transit, it is essential to handle them carefully and provide a stress-free environment. This includes ensuring proper ventilation and temperature control during transport and avoiding rough handling. It is also crucial to minimize loud noises and sudden movements that can startle and panic the chicks, leading to injury or suffocation.
Overall, the transportation of chicks is a complex and challenging process that requires careful planning and execution to ensure the safety and well-being of the infant birds. By understanding the potential risks and implementing preventive measures, we can reduce the incidence of chick death during this critical period.
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Poor ventilation and temperature control
Ventilation is essential for maintaining the right humidity levels in the incubator. Humidity is difficult to measure and control accurately, and it is one of the main causes of poor hatching success. If humidity is too high, ventilation must be increased, or water must be removed if the incubator lacks ventilation control. Conversely, if humidity is too low, ventilation must be reduced, and water must be added. Humidity levels need to be higher at hatching time than during incubation to prevent the egg membranes from drying out too quickly and becoming difficult for the chick to tear.
Temperature control is paramount for the successful incubation of eggs. The correct temperature for most species is 99.5°F when using a forced draft incubator. However, if an incubator without a fan is used, the temperature should be set at 103°F because hot air rises. During the first 18 days of incubation, the temperature should be set at 100.5°F, and then increased to 70% humidity on day 18.
In addition, the stress of exposure to cold temperatures and temperature changes during transit can cause a downward spiral that a chick's newly hatched system cannot handle.
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