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Day old chicks
Optimum timing for pulling day old chicks
- Written by Marleen Boerjan
The length of the incubation period is influenced by several factors: In general terms, the time needed to complete development from a day one embryo to a day old hatchling depends on the species. The chick embryo hatches after 21 days of incubation, while turkey and duck poults hatch after 28 days. However, within each species, the duration of incubation and thus the pulling time varies between different batches of eggs.
Maintaining the ideal climate for chick handling and transport
- Written by Gerd de Lange
Good post hatch performance and low first week mortality can best be expected from chicks kept in ideal conditions between leaving the hatcher and placement in the farm.
Read more: Maintaining the ideal climate for chick handling and transport
Red hocks in day old chicks or poults
- Written by Marleen Boerjan
A day old chick is considered to be of good quality if it has the capacity to grow and mature in line with its genetic potential. The chick is alert and active, with a closed navel and well developed legs that are soft and well hydrated when the toes are extended or stretched. In addition the hocks of a first class chick will show no signs of swelling and be of normal skin colour. Conversely, chicks of inferior quality often show dehydrated legs with red, swollen hocks.
Improving transport performance
- Written by Gerd de Lange
The transport of day old chicks from hatchery to farm has a critical role to play in subsequent performance. Hatcheries operate in a fully controlled indoor environment, while transport entails the risk of exposing the chicks to uncontrolled, outdoor conditions.
Spray vaccination of day-old-chicks at the hatchery
- Written by Gerd de Lange
Spray vaccination is the preferred method for administering respiratory vaccines, eg. for Newcastle Disease (ND) or Infectious Bronchitis (IB), especially when vaccinating birds for the first time.
Read more: Spray vaccination of day-old-chicks at the hatchery
Preventing Omphalitis to reduce first week mortality
- Written by Gerd de Lange
A major cause of increased first week chick mortality is Omphalitis, or navel-yolk sac infection: a hatchery-born disease also known as ‘mushy chick disease’ and ‘navel ill’.
Read more: Preventing Omphalitis to reduce first week mortality
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