Chick Mortality: Causes, Common Mistakes, & Prevention

The first week of a chick’s life is the most critical. It is a period of rapid growth, adjustment, and immune system development. During this time, chicks are extremely vulnerable to environmental stress, infections, nutritional gaps, and management errors.

High mortality during this phase often signals deeper issues in the brooding system or hatchery practices. Recognizing these causes early can improve survival rates and lead to a more profitable flock.

Let’s explore the most common reasons why chicks die within the first seven days and how you can prevent them.

Poor Temperature Regulation (Chilling or Overheating)

Newly hatched chicks are extremely sensitive to environmental temperatures because their internal systems are still developing. They cannot regulate their body temperature effectively during the first few days of life.

If the brooding area is too cold, chicks may huddle together in an attempt to stay warm. This behavior can lead to crushing or piling in corners, which further increases the risk of injury or suffocation. Cold stress suppresses the immune system, disrupts digestion, and weakens the overall metabolism of the chick, making them more vulnerable to diseases and death from hypothermia.

Conversely, when the environment is too hot, chicks can suffer from heat stress. Excessive temperatures cause dehydration, panting, and erratic movement, as chicks try to find relief from the heat.

In extreme cases, they may become lethargic and unresponsive. Overheating also disrupts their feeding and drinking patterns, which can delay growth and increase mortality during the early brooding period.

Dehydration Due to Delayed Access to Water

Chicks begin to lose moisture immediately after hatching. If they are not provided with fresh, accessible water soon after placement, dehydration sets in quickly. During transport from the hatchery or while waiting in holding boxes, some chicks may go many hours without fluids.

This lack of hydration severely affects organ function, reduces body weight, and leads to lethargy and early death. Even slight dehydration in the first 24 hours can be fatal for weaker chicks.

Without prompt access to water, chicks become unable to metabolize nutrients efficiently, leading to energy depletion. Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, dry legs, and reduced alertness. In severe cases, chicks will lie down and fail to respond to stimuli.

This condition is often mistaken for a disease, but it is frequently caused by delayed or inadequate water availability during the first few hours of life.

Poor Quality or Contaminated Feed

Nutrition is the cornerstone of chick survival and development. If the feed provided is stale, moldy, or lacks essential nutrients, the chicks' growth will be stunted and their health compromised.

During the first week, chicks need highly digestible proteins, energy, and vitamins to support their rapid growth. When the feed is contaminated with toxins like aflatoxins from molds, it can cause irreversible damage to internal organs, especially the liver and kidneys.

Contaminated feed may also harbor bacteria, fungi, or chemical residues. Chicks consuming such feed may display signs of weakness, diarrhea, or reduced appetite. In some cases, death occurs with little warning.

Feed that's too coarse or poorly formulated may also prevent chicks from eating enough, especially when their beaks are still soft and small. The digestive system, being immature, struggles to process substandard feed, leading to malabsorption, starvation, or poisoning.

Infectious Diseases (Like Omphalitis and Salmonella)

Chicks are highly vulnerable to infections in their first week due to their undeveloped immune systems. One of the most common infections is omphalitis, also known as yolk sac infection. This disease typically enters through an unhealed or improperly sanitized navel.

Once infected, the yolk sac becomes swollen and inflamed, leading to sepsis and death within days. Affected chicks often appear dull, swollen in the abdomen, and have a foul odor upon close inspection.

Other deadly infections include Salmonella and E. coli, which are spread through contaminated equipment, water, feed, or hands. These pathogens multiply rapidly in the warm brooding environment. Infected chicks may show signs such as droopiness, diarrhea, or sudden collapse.

In overcrowded or poorly sanitized conditions, the spread is even faster, resulting in high mortality before any intervention is possible.

Improper Brooding Space and Overcrowding

When too many chicks are placed in a confined area, competition for resources like food, water, and heat intensifies. Weaker chicks often get pushed aside and miss out on critical nutrients or warmth.

Overcrowding also contributes to poor air quality and higher ammonia levels, which can irritate the respiratory tract and eyes of young chicks. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory distress and death.

Trampling is another frequent outcome of overcrowding. When chicks pile on top of one another—especially under heat sources or in corners—those at the bottom may get suffocated or injured.

Brooders that lack enough space for uniform distribution cause uneven heating, leading to cold or hot zones that increase stress and mortality.

Poor Ventilation and Air Quality

Airflow is important for removing excess moisture, carbon dioxide, and ammonia from the brooder. In poorly ventilated environments, harmful gases accumulate rapidly.

High levels of ammonia, even for short periods, can burn the chick’s eyes and respiratory tract, leading to coughing, sneezing, and labored breathing. This weakens the chick and sets the stage for bacterial infections.

Dust accumulation in closed brooders can also carry pathogens and irritants. Stale, humid air reduces the oxygen concentration, making chicks sluggish. Without adequate oxygen, chicks experience slow growth, organ dysfunction, and may die without obvious signs of distress. Poor ventilation is often overlooked but plays a significant role in early chick losses.

Unhealed Navels or Hatchery Stress

Chicks with unhealed navels are at higher risk of yolk sac infection and internal bleeding. The navel is an open gateway for bacteria if it hasn’t sealed properly before placement. Hatchery issues—such as improper incubation temperatures, rushed handling, or poor hygiene—often result in weak or malformed chicks with visible deformities or dehydration.

Extended holding times after hatching without food or water contribute to low energy reserves. When these chicks arrive on farms, they are already compromised. Stress from long transport or rough handling further reduces survival chances. Even with perfect brooding conditions, these weak chicks are less likely to thrive and often die within days.

Human Handling Errors

Careless or rough handling during chick placement, vaccination, or daily routines causes physical injuries. Dropping chicks, holding them too tightly, or overcrowding them during transfers can result in bruising, fractures, or internal damage.

Mishandling can also lead to stress-induced shock, especially in the first few hours after hatching when chicks are still adjusting to their environment.

Poor staff training is often at the heart of handling errors. If workers are unaware of proper chick care procedures, they may overcrowd boxes, mishandle vaccinations, or delay feeding. These errors create stressful conditions that disrupt feeding, hydration, and thermoregulation, contributing to higher chick mortality.

How to Prevent Chick Mortality in the First Week

The first seven days of a chick's life are very delicate. This period lays the foundation for growth, immunity, and productivity. Many deaths that occur during this time are preventable with proper planning, hygiene, and monitoring. Below are practical strategies to reduce chick mortality on your poultry farm:

Prepare the Brooder Before Chicks Arrive

Ensure that the brooder is clean, disinfected, and warm before placing the chicks. Dry bedding, correct lighting, and a ready supply of clean water and feed must be in place. Set the temperature between 32–35°C (90–95°F) for the first few days, adjusting it based on chick behavior. A pre-warmed environment reduces stress and helps the chicks adjust quickly.

Maintain Proper Temperature and Ventilation

Chicks cannot regulate their body temperature. Ensure that the heat source is functioning correctly and the brooder is draft-free. Monitor chick distribution:

• Huddling under the lamp = too cold
• Spreading far away = too hot
• Evenly spread = comfortable

Ventilation must bring in fresh air without chilling the chicks. Good air flow prevents ammonia buildup and reduces respiratory issues.

Provide Immediate and Easy Access to Water

Dehydration is a leading cause of early death. Provide clean, cool water the moment chicks arrive. Use shallow trays or drinkers designed for chicks to prevent drowning. In the first 6–12 hours, adding glucose or vitamins to the water helps boost energy and rehydration.

Start With High-Quality Chick Feed

Feed should be clean, fresh, and suitable for chicks (starter crumble). It must contain essential nutrients like:

• Protein (20–22%)
• Energy
• Vitamins (A, D, E, B-complex)
• Trace minerals (selenium, zinc)

Scatter some feed on clean paper or trays to encourage pecking and feed discovery in the first 48 hours.

Prevent Overcrowding

Overcrowding leads to suffocation, feed/water competition, and higher infection risk. Maintain a stocking rate of 30–40 chicks per square meter in the first week. Use chick guards to avoid piling in corners and ensure that feeders and drinkers are evenly spaced.

Monitor Chick Behavior and Health Daily

Monitor your chicks closely during the first week for any warning signs of distress. Indicators such as inactivity, weakness, or constant shivering can signal underlying health issues. Pasting, where droppings clog the vent area, is a common and potentially fatal condition if not cleaned promptly.

A poor feeding response—chicks ignoring feed or water—may point to illness or improper brooding conditions.

Remove weak or sick chicks promptly and treat or isolate them. Record daily mortality and possible causes to track problems early.

Maintain Cleanliness and Sanitation

Disinfect feeders, drinkers, and the brooder floor regularly. Change bedding when damp to avoid ammonia buildup and bacterial infections. Use lime under litter to absorb moisture and reduce odor. Wash your hands before and after handling chicks.

Source Chicks from Reliable Hatcheries

Start by sourcing healthy chicks to give your flock the best chance at survival. Check for bright, alert eyes, clean and well-healed navels, and no visible deformities. Healthy chicks should be active, responsive to movement or sound, and show interest in their surroundings.

Selecting strong, vigorous chicks from a reputable hatchery helps prevent early losses and reduces the risk of disease entering your brooder.

Avoid buying from hatcheries with poor records or visible hygiene issues. Chicks from stressed or poorly managed hatcheries often arrive weak or infected.

Train Staff in Proper Chick Handling

Staff should be trained to handle chicks gently during transport, placement, and vaccination. Rough handling causes injuries and increases stress. Everyone on the farm should understand how to recognize early signs of trouble.

Use Preventive Health Measures

Follow a vaccination program if needed for early diseases (e.g., Marek's or Newcastle). Consult a vet on proper timing. Administer vitamins or probiotics during the first few days to strengthen gut health and immunity.

Conclusion

The first week of a chick’s life determines its chances of survival and future performance. A combination of environmental stress, poor hygiene, nutritional deficiencies, and infectious diseases often causes chick mortality. When poultry farmers focus on proper brooding temperature, clean feed and water, spacious housing, and good hygiene, they can prevent most early chick deaths.

Every lost chick represents a loss in potential income. Consistent management practices, staff training, and monitoring of chick behavior are the strongest tools to safeguard your flock.