Sophie Bennett
The embryonic development of a chick is a complex process that usually takes 21 days of favourable incubation conditions for the chicken to develop and hatch. However, there are several factors that can cause a mostly formed chick to stop developing and die. These include environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations, improper humidity, and insufficient ventilation. For instance, a temperature below 20°C can cause the embryo to become dormant and stop developing, while high temperatures during incubation can lead to premature development and nutrient deficiencies. Other factors include vitamin deficiencies, especially riboflavin, and contamination by mould or bacteria. In some cases, the chick may be fully formed but unable to break past the inner membrane or egg shell due to low humidity or improper positioning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | Low ventilation can cause a mostly formed chick to stop developing |
| Humidity | Low humidity can cause the membrane to dry out and shrink wrap the chick, preventing it from rotating to unzip the egg |
| Temperature | Embryos are sensitive to temperature changes, and swings in temperature may kill the weakest embryos first |
| Contamination | Contamination by mold or bacteria can cause developmental failure |
| Frequency of opening the incubator | Opening the incubator too often reduces the temperature and humidity, causing a variety of issues |
| Egg turning | Improper egg turning can cause a mostly formed chick to stop developing |
| Vitamin deficiencies | Vitamin deficiencies, especially riboflavin, can cause curled toe deformities in the chick |
| Yolk sac | Failure to retract the yolk sac can cause a fully developed chick to be unable to hatch |
| Lung respiration | Failure to transition to lung respiration can cause a fully developed chick to be unable to hatch |
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What You'll Learn
Insufficient ventilation
The oxygen demand of the embryo increases as it grows, particularly during the final stages before hatching, when the chick's respiratory system becomes active. Therefore, adequate ventilation is crucial for the embryo's survival. The air vent openings in an incubator should be gradually opened to meet the increasing oxygen requirements of the developing embryo.
The size of the incubator also plays a role in ventilation requirements. Larger incubators demand more careful airflow control, and it is essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal ventilation settings. Additionally, the ambient conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can impact the ventilation needs. For instance, at high altitudes, decreased atmospheric pressure can result in lower oxygen levels and excessive moisture loss, requiring adjustments in ventilation to mitigate these issues.
Maintaining unobstructed ventilation holes, both above and below the eggs, is vital for ensuring proper air exchange. The pattern of airflow is also crucial, and issues such as an incompletely closed baffle door, a poor door seal, or a misaligned fan can negatively affect airflow patterns and lead to insufficient ventilation.
Furthermore, the number of eggs in the incubator relative to its capacity should be considered. When the number of eggs is lower than the incubator's capacity, the oxygen requirements of the embryos are reduced, and less carbon dioxide is produced. Therefore, it is important to adjust ventilation settings accordingly to avoid overventilation, which can lead to reduced or delayed hatching success rates.
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Low humidity
The effects of low humidity can be mitigated by ensuring proper incubator conditions, including adequate ventilation and humidity levels. It is important to note that the humidity outside the incubator can also influence the humidity inside, so factors such as the climate, use of dehumidifiers or humidifiers, and air conditioning can play a role in maintaining optimal humidity levels.
Furthermore, low humidity during incubation has been associated with decreased hatch rates and lower chick body weight compared to high humidity conditions. Studies have shown that maintaining a low relative humidity during incubation and a normal brooding temperature resulted in lower chick body weight at four days of age. However, it is worth mentioning that low humidity generally has less of an impact on chick development compared to high humidity, which can lead to larger chicks that may not have sufficient space or air during hatching.
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High temperatures
Chicks that are too warm will start gasping for air to cool down through the evaporation of water. They may also show signs of weight loss and fall behind in their development. In addition, high temperatures can cause a chick's metabolic processes to be affected, resulting in reduced growth and development, poorer feed conversion, and increased disease and mortality.
To maintain optimal body temperature, chicks depend on their environment when they first hatch. They gradually transition to warm-blooded organisms that can regulate their body temperature within certain limits by adjusting their heat production or food intake. This transition period typically lasts 3-4 days but can take up to 12-14 days.
To prevent high temperatures from affecting chick development, it is essential to provide an adequate environment with proper ventilation and temperature control. Brooder temperatures should be monitored and adjusted to ensure the chicks' comfort and health.
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Vitamin deficiencies
A developing chick has unique nutritional needs, and vitamin deficiencies can cause a range of issues, from reduced hatchability to embryo death.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A is essential for the development and health of a chick. A deficiency can cause bone deformation and weak bones. Day-old chicks reared on a vitamin A-deficient diet may show signs within 7 days, including anorexia, growth retardation, drowsiness, weakness, incoordination, emaciation, and ruffled feathers. The yellow pigment in the shanks and beaks may be lost, and the comb and wattles may appear pale. In addition, vitamin A deficiency can lead to a breakdown of the mucous membrane, allowing pathogenic microorganisms to invade and cause secondary infections.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is crucial for bone health in chicks. A deficiency can cause soft bones and an enlargement of the epiphyses of long bones. It can also lead to a reduction in egg production and hatchability. The first signs of vitamin D deficiency include a tendency to rest frequently in a squatting position, an unwillingness to walk, and a stiff gait.
Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E plays a vital role in maintaining the health of chicks. A deficiency can lead to Encephalomalacia, also known as "crazy chick disease," where chicks are unable to walk, have stretched legs, flexed toes, and a swollen, retracted head. This disease is characterised by muscle degeneration, and chicks may appear "crazy," falling to their sides.
Vitamin K Deficiency
Vitamin K is essential for blood coagulation in chicks. A deficiency can result in impaired blood clotting, leading to subcutaneous and internal hemorrhages that can prove fatal. Young chicks are particularly susceptible to vitamin K deficiency due to their lower prothrombin content.
Pyridoxine Deficiency
Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, plays a crucial role in protein metabolism. A deficiency can lead to retarded growth, dermatitis, and anemia. It can also cause increased nitrogen excretion and decreased iron utilization, resulting in anemia. Young chicks may exhibit nervous movements of the legs when walking and undergo spasmodic convulsions, which can lead to death.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is important for the health of breeder hens, and a deficiency can result in a general hemorrhagic condition, fatty liver, and a high incidence of mid-term embryo deaths. Treatment involves increasing the vitamin B12 content of the feed.
Other Nutritional Deficiencies
Other nutritional deficiencies can also impact chick development. For example, a lack of riboflavin can cause "Clubbed Down" syndrome, where the down feathers of newly hatched chicks grow curled up inside follicles. Additionally, a lack of lysine can result in a loss of pigmentation, and copper and iron deficiencies can lead to reduced red pigmentations.
It is important to note that improper humidity and ventilation during incubation can also cause embryo death, as the chick may suffocate from a lack of oxygen or become stuck inside the shell due to dried membranes.
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Contamination
One form of contamination is bacterial infection, which can be contracted during incubation, hatching, or in the brooder. Escherichia coli bacteria is the most common cause of yolk sac infection, also known as omphalitis, which is a leading cause of death in newly hatched chicks. Other bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Streptococcus spp., are also frequently implicated in yolk sac infections. These bacteria can enter incubating eggshells if already present in the incubator or introduced through improper disinfection of equipment, dirty eggs, or unclean hands during candling. In addition, unabsorbed yolk sacs, which are essentially open wounds, increase the chick's susceptibility to bacterial infections.
Contaminated bedding materials, such as sawdust, can also lead to gastrointestinal impaction and death. Chicks may mistake sawdust for feed and consume it, resulting in harmful blockages in their digestive system.
Furthermore, chicks are susceptible to infections from salmonella and other organisms present in their fecal material. Proper sanitation practices, including handwashing before and after handling chicks or eggs, are crucial to reducing the risk of contamination and infection.
Additionally, early chicks are vulnerable to various diseases and infections due to their undeveloped immune systems. Coccidiosis, an intestinal disease caused by parasites, is the most common cause of death in baby chicks. It thrives in warm, wet conditions and is transmitted through droppings. Chicks with coccidiosis exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea, blood or mucus in their droppings, lethargy, loss of appetite, and failure to thrive.
To prevent contamination-related issues, it is essential to maintain strict hygiene protocols, disinfect incubators and equipment, promptly remove infertile or dead eggs, and ensure proper ventilation and temperature control during incubation.
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Frequently asked questions
The typical incubation period for a chick to develop and hatch is 21 days. However, this development takes 22 days in total—one day in the oviduct and 21 days in the incubator or nest.
A chick embryo may stop developing in the egg due to unfavourable environmental conditions, such as temperatures below 20°C. Embryonic development may also be hindered by a lack of oxygen or nutrients, improper incubation conditions, or failure to turn the eggs.
By day 7, the embryo resembles a bird with digits on its feet and wings, and its heart enclosed in the thoracic cavity. By day 12, the embryo has its first feathers, and by day 14, it positions itself for hatching. On day 15, the embryo's gut is drawn into the abdominal cavity, and by day 18, it occupies most of the space within the egg.
By day 20, the chick is in the hatching position, with its beak piercing the air cell and pulmonary respiration initiated. The chick typically breaks through the shell on day 21, using its egg tooth and muscles in its neck to cut the shell.
