9 Key Points to Know When Buying Day-Old Chicks
- Reliable Purchase Source
- Knowledge of the Mother Hen’s Vaccination
- Ecological Region of the Mother Hen’s Farm
- Timing of Purchase
- Order Quantity
- Chick Breed
- Chick Price
- Consult with Experts
- Expert Advice for Buying Day-Old Chicks
Choosing a Reliable Source for Purchasing Day-Old Chicks
Selecting a trustworthy source for purchasing day-old chicks is a crucial step in raising a healthy and productive flock. Due to their weak immune systems, day-old chicks are vulnerable to diseases and environmental factors. Choosing a supplier that strictly adheres to hygienic and hatchery practices plays a key role in ensuring the health and quality of the chicks. Compliance with hygiene and hatchery principles such as:
- Fumigation of eggs before incubation: Thoroughly cleaning eggs to eliminate pathogens significantly reduces the risk of yolk sac infection and aspergillosis.
- Controlling both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria at all stages: Preventing the transmission of bacteria, especially harmful ones like Salmonella and E. coli, is crucial.
- Culling dirty and suspicious eggs: Removing unhealthy eggs reduces the risk of spreading diseases.
Vertical transmission of bacteria (from mother to offspring) can impact the health, disease resistance, growth, and viability of chicks. Controlling both Gram-negative bacteria (like Salmonella and E. coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (like Enterococci) at all stages is essential.
Gram-negative bacteria can easily spread from the breeder houses to the hatchery and day-old chicks. If purchased chicks are infected, it can lead to high mortality rates and costly antibiotic treatments. Such complications can result in significant losses for poultry farmers. Therefore, implementing a proper vaccination program and maintaining the hygiene of water and feed for the breeder hens is crucial.
Another important factor in hatcheries is the storage time and separation of eggs based on the age of the breeder flock. Prolonged storage can reduce hatch rates and hinder the growth rate of the birds in the future. Maintaining a consistent age for the breeder flock is also crucial, as separating young from older breeder flocks ensures uniform growth in the flock. Additionally, the duration and conditions under which the chicks are kept in the brooder houses before transfer are very important. Excessive time, high temperatures, and other unfavorable conditions can harm the chicks. In some cases, poultry farmers have lost entire flocks due to unknowingly purchasing chicks with diseases.
Therefore, consider the following when purchasing day-old chicks from a hatchery:
- Licensed and reputable hatcheries: Ensure the hatchery is registered and has the necessary licenses. In licensed hatcheries, eggs are inspected by a health inspector during the hatching process, and the facility has obtained the required permits.
- Review the hatchery’s sales records: Check the hatchery’s sales records to ensure they have a low mortality rate.
Understanding the Mother Hen's Vaccination When Purchasing Day-Old Chicks
Day-old chick producers are required to conduct necessary tests in accredited laboratories under the supervision of the Ministry of Health every 40 days and announce the results. This information is recorded on the health certificate of the day-old chicks and provided to the buyer at the time of purchase. The certificate includes details about the mother hen, such as her age, the vaccinations she has received, and the titer of antibodies present in her body. In fact, knowing about the vaccinations not only helps ensure the health of the chicks but also serves as a valuable guide for you in raising the flock. By reviewing the mother hen’s vaccination history, poultry farmers can identify any missing vaccinations and administer them accordingly.
It’s important to note that buyers can also randomly take samples from day-old chicks and measure the antibody titer in the chicks’ bodies. The antibody titer helps poultry farmers determine the timing and types of vaccinations needed during the rearing process, as incorrect timing can lead to vaccination failure. In essence, this information helps farmers plan their chick vaccination program.
Article: Another topic of interest could be poultry drinking water vaccination.
Ecological Region for Purchasing Day-Old Chicks
Broilers, especially commercial breeds, are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Therefore, it is essential to procure poultry from the same ecological region. For instance, chicks raised in low-temperature regions may experience heat stress when transferred to high-temperature areas. This issue becomes more pronounced at varying altitudes. Chicks raised at lower altitudes may encounter difficulties at higher altitudes, especially considering the increased risk of ascites in broiler chickens at higher elevations. Additionally, the closer the farm is to the chick hatchery, the shorter the transportation distance, reducing the risk of damage to the chicks during transit. Transportation itself can cause significant harm to chicks and requires specific protocols.
Transporting Day-Old Chicks: Handle with Care
It’s crucial to partner with reputable companies for transporting day-old chicks. The process of transporting chicks involves specific protocols that, if not followed, can lead to significant losses. A seasoned team experienced in chick transportation will carefully consider all aspects of the process. The most critical principles of transporting day-old chicks are:
- Using dedicated, well-maintained vehicles: These vehicles are specifically designed for transporting chicks and are equipped with the necessary features to ensure their safe journey.
- Employing soft, cushioned boxes: These boxes act as shock absorbers, protecting the chicks from injury.
- Proper arrangement of transport boxes: Boxes should be arranged to minimize movement. Excessive movement can stress the chicks. Additionally, airflow must be considered when arranging the boxes. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to prevent chick injuries and mortality.
- Adequate ventilation: Proper ventilation during transport is vital for ensuring the chicks can breathe easily. Ventilation openings should neither be too small nor too large. Excessive airflow can lead to suffocation.
- Using chick gel and chick boost: To prevent hunger and dehydration, which can damage the chicks’ digestive systems, chick gel and chick boost can be used during transport. To minimize losses during transportation, some countries have equipped broiler farms with hatcheries to conduct on-farm incubation.
- Skilled drivers: Experienced drivers are crucial. Safe driving speeds, minimal stops, and gentle handling are essential for transporting day-old chicks.
To minimize losses during chick transportation, some countries have equipped broiler farms with hatcheries to conduct on-farm incubation. By equipping broiler farms with hatcheries, they can hatch chicks directly on-site.
Article: For a comprehensive understanding of this process, please read our article on ‘Hatching and Chick Placement in Broiler Farms‘.
Timing is Everything When Buying Baby Chicks
When it comes to buying day-old chicks, timing is crucial. These tiny creatures are extra sensitive and need a lot of care. Before you bring them home, make sure their new home (the brooder) is clean, sanitized, and ready to go. All the equipment should be checked and in good working order. So, only buy chicks when their new home is perfectly set up.
Another important thing to consider is the weather. Especially during hot months, the temperature can be a real problem for baby chicks. It’s best to transport them during cooler parts of the day to prevent heat stress or dehydration.
Pricing for Day-Old Chicks
Before purchasing day-old chicks, get quotes from several reputable sources. Choose a price that aligns with the quality of the chicks. Avoid seeking the cheapest option. Always prioritize quality and the reputation of the chick hatchery.
Buying Day-Old Chicks in Bulk: A Cost-Saving Strategy
Hatcheries typically find it more efficient to deliver chicks in large quantities. Smaller orders can be more time-consuming and costly to process. Consequently, purchasing chicks individually or in small numbers tends to be more expensive. To overcome this, new poultry farmers may consider partnering with others to form a cooperative or group. By buying chicks in bulk together, farmers can often negotiate lower prices.
Paying Attention to The Breed When Buying Chicks: Buying the Best Day-Old Broiler Chicks
When selecting the optimal broiler chicken breed for your farm, consider the top three globally recognized options: Ross, Cobb, and Arbor Acres. To help you make an informed decision, we have provided comprehensive articles that delve into the specific characteristics and performance of each breed. These resources will assist you in choosing the breed that best aligns with your farming goals.
Article: Read our comprehensive article about Ross chickens: A Review of the Characteristics of Different Species, Ross 308, Ross 708, and Ross 308 AP
Article: Read our comprehensive guide on raising Cobb chickens
Expert Advice for Buying Day-Old Chicks
To locate a reliable source for day-old chicks, it is advisable to consult with experienced poultry farmers. Request that they recommend trustworthy suppliers. After conducting your own research, select the most suitable establishment.
Evaluating the Quality of Day-Old Chicks
Every hatchery aims to produce the highest possible number of quality chicks. To assess the quality of chicks, both quantitative and qualitative data can be collected. Quantitative traits include chick weight, performance, length, and feather coverage.
The choice of method for evaluating chick quality depends on various factors. Firstly, the purpose of the evaluation is crucial. Secondly, the available time must be considered, as sample size and time required vary for each method. Common methods used to assess chick quality include:
- Visual scoring
- Body weight
- Yolk-free body mass (YFBM)
- Chick length
Visual Scoring for Assessing Day-Old Chick Quality
Visual scoring of birds is a method used to obtain a general overview of chick quality. Approximately 100 chicks are evaluated based on factors such as feather color, navel quality, and overall behavior. Additional qualitative traits include assessing chick activity, as well as the quality of the navel, beak, and joints.
In general, to assess the quality of day-old chicks, the following can be examined:
- Reflex: Healthy and high-quality chicks are lively and have good muscle tone. This can be easily tested by turning the chick upside down. A healthy chick will not struggle and will eventually right itself within 3 seconds.
- Eyes: The eyes should be clean, open, and bright, not cloudy or closed. High-quality chicks have round, bright eyes.
- Feet: Examining the feet is an easy way to assess day-old chicks. By picking up 3 to 5 chicks, you can examine many feet at once and look for signs of dehydration, which is often first noticeable in the feet. The feet should be bright, the shanks should be round (indicating adequate hydration), long, and without any lesions. There should be no defects such as fractures, crookedness, swelling, or paralysis in the feet. Damaged joints in poultry indicate low humidity levels and excessive ventilation during incubation. In high humidity conditions, chicks have to struggle more to hatch, which can damage their joints.
Another thing to pay attention to is that the bird’s feet should not be dry. Not only should the chick’s feet not be dry, but they should also have a bit of fatty tissue. The color of the chick’s feet is typically a pale pink or pinkish-purple. If the feet of a day-old chick are blue, there is likely a problem. Also, when you touch the chick’s feet to your cheek, it should feel warmer than your cheek. If it feels cold to the touch, slightly increase the temperature of the room, as the chicks may have become cold during transportation. This is more likely to happen in cold seasons. - Beak: The chick’s nostrils should be clean and the nasal passages open. The upper beak should be healthy and without any wounds. There should be no lesions in the nostrils or scratches. The absence of the upper beak or wounds on the beak is not a good sign. There should be no red spots on the beak or any abnormalities. The presence of red spots on the beak indicates high temperature or high relative humidity in the hatchery. These conditions cause the chicks to try to break out of the eggshell or try to breathe by creating holes. As a result, they damage their beaks by pecking excessively at the eggshell.
- Navel: When checking the navel, ensure it is well-closed and clean. The navel should be dry and free from any remnants of eggshell, membranes, or yolk sac. A small scab might be present where the navel cord has fallen off, but it should be clean and closed. If the navel is dirty, black (black buttoned), or open, the chick should be culled.
- Yolk sac absorption: The abdomen of a day-old chick should be soft and smooth. A bloated or hard abdomen indicates poor yolk sac absorption. This can increase mortality during the first week. A hard abdomen can also indicate yolk sac infection. These issues can lead to problems with egg laying in laying hens.
- Cloaca: The cloaca should be dry and bright, not wet or sticky. In fact, the bird’s cloaca should be clean.
Article: To gain a deeper insight into flock uniformity, we recommend reading our article on essential formulas for poultry farming.
- Absence of respiratory distress and fungal infections: Chicks with fungal respiratory infections often exhibit a condition known as air swallowing, characterized by deep, rapid breathing. A video demonstrating this symptom is available for reference.
- Proper hydration: Dehydration, a condition caused by excessive loss of body water, poses a significant threat to day-old chicks. Factors such as excessive heat during incubation, extended time in the hatcher, prolonged transportation, low humidity, insufficient water during transport, or delayed arrival at the farm can contribute to dehydration. Common symptoms include gasping, sunken eyes, reduced appetite, and dry feet. Dehydration can disrupt the chick’s digestive system and lead to increased mortality rates in the flock.
- Feather quality and color: The feathers of high-quality chicks are large and fluffy. The feathers should not be dry, sticky, or yellowish. It’s important to remember that the overall feather tone is not as critical, as chicks may appear yellow due to formaldehyde gas exposure in the final days of incubation. What matters is the uniformity of feather distribution. The more uniform the chick color, the better the flock.
- Chick activity and vigor: Upon placement in the brooder, healthy chicks should exhibit active movement and alertness. They should respond to stimuli and explore their surroundings. Behaviors such as huddling, clustering, or inactivity may signal underlying health issues within the flock and warrant further investigation.
In the event that you detect any of the aforementioned issues within your flock, it is advisable to contact the supplier of the day-old chicks. If the supplier acknowledges that the chicks do not meet the expected quality standards, you may file a claim for compensation. Should the supplier deny responsibility, it is recommended to report the matter to the relevant veterinary authorities. Following an inspection, samples will be collected for analysis. If the findings support your claim, you may pursue legal action.
It is crucial to consider changing suppliers if you are consistently dissatisfied with the quality of the day-old chicks. Sick chicks require increased care, nutrition, and medication, which can significantly impact flock performance and profitability. Furthermore, visual scoring, while a rapid method for assessing chick quality, is subjective and cannot be quantified. Consequently, comparisons between different days, flocks, or hatcheries may be inconsistent.
Article: 6 Effective Strategies for Maintaining Poultry Gut Health and Improving Flock Performance
Chick length measurement
A key indicator of chick growth is its length. To measure chick length, the chick is gently stretched along a ruler from the tip of its beak to the end of its middle toe. While there may be some variation between individual measurements, research has demonstrated that consistent results can be achieved with experience. This rapid and non-invasive method provides valuable insights into chick quality. A sample size of 25 chicks is generally adequate for obtaining reliable results. Notably, a positive correlation exists between chick length and subsequent performance. Given its speed, repeatability, and non-destructive nature, chick length measurement can be easily integrated into standardized quality assessment protocols.
Body Weight of Day-Old Chicks
It’s impractical to weigh each chick individually. To calculate the average body weight of a flock, approximately 70 chicks should be weighed. However, body weight includes an indeterminate amount of residual yolk, which can skew the actual weight. A heavier chick indicates good growth, but only if the yolk sac is of an appropriate size. Additionally, you can compare the weight of your chicks to the breed standard for a more accurate assessment.
The yolk is typically absorbed by the chick within 72 hours. However, in some cases, it may be absorbed by the fourth or fifth day. Interestingly, it was once believed that starving the chick would accelerate yolk absorption. However, it is now understood that the yolk is better absorbed when the chick is fed and its digestive system develops.
Assessment of Yolk-Free Body Mass (YFBM) in Day-Old Chicks
YFBM is considered a more reliable indicator of chick growth compared to overall body weight. Research has consistently demonstrated that higher YFBM values in day-old chicks are associated with superior growth and development. To assess YFBM, a random sample of 50 chicks is typically weighed after the yolk sac has been removed. It is important to note that the age of the parent flock can influence egg size and consequently, initial chick weight. While YFBM provides a more accurate measure of chick growth, the method is more time-consuming and requires the sacrifice of a small number of chicks.
Chick Quality Assessment Using Scoring Systems
Different scoring systems, such as Tona or Pasgar, have been developed to evaluate the quality of day-old chicks. These systems assess multiple criteria, including navel condition, leg conformation, beak quality, and yolk sac absorption. A minimum of 44 chicks is typically evaluated to obtain a reliable score. While these systems have been shown to be effective in predicting first-week mortality and overall chick viability, their correlation with subsequent production performance, particularly daily growth rate, is less well-established.
By carefully selecting high-quality day-old chicks, poultry producers can improve flock health, reduce mortality, and enhance overall productivity. Healthy chicks are more likely to have better gut health, fewer disease challenges, and improved feed conversion ratios, leading to increased profitability.
What are the suitable conditions for introducing chicks into a poultry house?
Proper preparation of the poultry house, including temperature, humidity, and sanitation, is crucial for the successful rearing of chicks. For a detailed guide on preparing your poultry house, please refer to our article on this topic.
What is the best diet for newly hatched chicks?
Formulating a diet for day-old chicks is a specialized task that requires careful consideration of nutritional requirements. Our articles on broiler feed formulation and how to make chicken feed provides a comprehensive overview of this topic. Additionally, you may consider using a commercial super starter feed specifically designed for day-old chicks. These feeds contain all the necessary nutrients and can save you time and effort.
Refrences:
- standardmedia.co.ke
- profitableventure.com
- biomin.net
- africanfarming.com
- poultryworld.net
- lohmann-breeders.com
