What Causes Baby Chicks to Die
The death of baby chicks can be a heartbreaking experience for poultry farmers and bird owners. It is important to understand what may cause chick mortality in order to be aware of the risks and take appropriate preventive measures.
Common Causes of Baby Chick Mortality
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- Chick Quality: Poor quality chicks, those with a poor hatch rate or those from weak parent stock, are more prone to death. It is important, therefore, to purchase chicks from reputable sources.
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- Inappropriate Brooding Conditions: Very cold or hot brooding temperatures can cause baby chicks to die. It is important to provide the right temperature and humidity. The chicks should also have an area which is free from drafts.
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- Diseases: Diseases, either bacterial, viral or fungal, can cause chick mortality. Farmers should get vaccinated chickens and provide the chicks with a clean and sanitized environment.
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- Nutrition: Poor nutrition or poorly-formulated diets can also cause mortality in chicks. Fresh, clean food and water should always be available and proper supplementation like vitamins and minerals may also be necessary for a healthy flock.
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- Toxins: Exposure to toxins such as toxic cleaning products, pesticides, or chemicals can lead to chick death. It is important to keep the chicks’ environment free of toxins and chemicals.
Preventing Baby Chick Mortality
Poultry farmers and bird owners can take several steps to help prevent baby chick mortality. These include:
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- Purchase chicks from reputable sources.
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- Ensure a stress-free brooding environment and the correct temperature and humidity.
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- Providing vaccinated chicks and keeping the area sanitized.
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- Giving the chicks fresh, clean food and water.
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- Avoiding toxins and chemicals from entering the chicks’ environment.
By taking these steps, poultry farmers and bird owners can help to reduce the risk of baby chick mortality.