Raising healthy chicks is the foundation of a successful poultry business. Whether you're raising improved kienyeji, broilers, or layers, the early weeks of a chick’s life are the most critical. Unfortunately, high chick mortality is a common challenge many poultry farmers face—often due to preventable issues.
In this article, we’ll explore the major causes of chick mortality, practical ways to prevent them, and smart management practices to ensure your chicks survive and thrive.
š Why Do Chicks Die?
Before we talk about solutions, let’s understand the common causes of chick deaths:
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Poor brooding conditions (temperature, ventilation, overcrowding)
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Infections and diseases (like Newcastle, coccidiosis, salmonella)
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Poor nutrition
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Contaminated water or feed
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Stress due to transport, rough handling, or sudden environmental changes
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Predators or pests (rats, cats, snakes, ants)
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Neglect of basic hygiene and vaccination protocols
Each of these factors, alone or combined, can lead to high chick losses. But the good news is—with proper planning and care, chick mortality can be reduced drastically.
š 1. Proper Brooding Setup
Brooding is the artificial process of providing heat and care to chicks until they can regulate their own body temperature (usually up to 4–6 weeks). This is the most sensitive stage of a chick's life.
š„ Key Brooding Requirements:
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Temperature: Start with 32–35°C (90–95°F) in the first week, then reduce by 2–3°C per week.
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Heat source: Use charcoal jikos, gas brooders, infrared bulbs, or electric brooders.
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Brooder guard: Prevents chicks from straying too far from heat and reduces piling.
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Bedding: Use wood shavings or rice husks—avoid slippery surfaces like newspaper.
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Space: Allow at least 0.5 square feet per chick in the first week. Avoid overcrowding.
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Lighting: Provide light 24/7 in the first 2 weeks to encourage feeding.
Chicks that are too cold will huddle and pile, leading to suffocation. If it’s too hot, they will scatter, pant, and become dehydrated. Observe their behavior and adjust heat accordingly.
š„¬ 2. Feeding and Nutrition
Proper nutrition builds a chick’s immunity and supports growth. Malnourished chicks are weaker and more susceptible to diseases.
š½️ Tips for Feeding Chicks:
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Starter feed: Use quality commercial chick starter mash with 18–20% protein.
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Clean feeders: Always clean feeders to avoid mold or disease contamination.
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Feed frequently: Small, frequent feedings prevent waste and promote growth.
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Supplements: Add multivitamins (like Vitalyte, Aminovit) especially after vaccination or stress.
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Grit: For kienyeji chicks, offer a small amount of grit to help them digest food.
Avoid switching feeds abruptly as this stresses the digestive system. If you must change feed, do so gradually over a few days.
š§ 3. Clean Water = Healthy Chicks
Water is often neglected, yet it's critical for chick survival.
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Provide clean, cool water at all times.
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Change water twice a day, especially in hot weather.
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Disinfect drinkers daily.
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Add glucose and multivitamins to the water during the first 3 days to boost immunity.
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Use water soluble antibiotics only when necessary—don’t misuse.
If your water source is from a borehole or river, boil or treat it before giving it to chicks.
š 4. Vaccination & Disease Control
Diseases can wipe out an entire flock in days. Prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.
š Basic Vaccination Schedule:
| Age | Vaccine | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marek’s (sometimes done at hatchery) | Injection |
| Day 7 | Newcastle (Lasota) | Oral |
| Day 14 | Gumboro | Oral |
| Day 21 | Gumboro (booster) | Oral |
| Day 28 | Newcastle (booster) | Oral |
| Week 6 | Fowl pox | Wing stab |
Always buy vaccines from reliable agrovets and keep them cold (between 2–8°C) before use. Use clean droppers or syringes and follow instructions exactly.
Also:
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Deworm at 4–6 weeks and repeat every 2–3 months.
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Use probiotics to improve gut health and reduce bacterial infections.
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Isolate sick chicks immediately to prevent spread.
š§¼ 5. Hygiene & Biosecurity
Good hygiene is one of the strongest defenses against chick mortality.
š§½ Maintain a Clean Brooder:
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Clean and disinfect the brooder before chicks arrive.
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Remove wet litter daily.
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Keep footbaths at the entrance.
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Do not allow visitors into the brooding area.
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Use separate clothing and shoes when entering the coop.
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Place rat-proof barriers and secure feed storage.
Biosecurity isn't just for big farms—every poultry farmer should practice it, no matter the flock size.
š¾ 6. Handle Chicks Gently
Chicks are delicate. Stress from rough handling, loud noises, or sudden environmental changes can increase mortality.
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Handle chicks with care during transfers.
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Keep the brooder in a quiet, draft-free location.
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Avoid overcrowding during transport.
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Don’t mix age groups—older birds can injure or infect younger ones.
š 7. Keep Pests and Predators Away
Rats, cats, snakes, ants, and even birds can harm or kill chicks.
š”️ Protection Tips:
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Use wire mesh to secure windows and vents.
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Raise feed and water containers off the ground.
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Store feed in sealed containers.
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Place traps or use safe pest repellents.
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Clear bushes and keep surroundings clean.
Even a few rats in your brooder can kill dozens of chicks overnight.
š 8. Keep Records
Track:
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Daily mortality
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Feed consumption
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Water intake
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Vaccination dates
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Unusual behavior or symptoms
This helps identify problems early and prevents future mistakes.
š Success Story: From 40% Losses to 2%
Jane, a poultry farmer in Kiambu, used to lose almost 40% of her chicks every batch. She realized the problem wasn’t just diseases—it was heat stress, dirty water, and overcrowding.
After improving her brooding area, installing a thermometer, and adding multivitamins, her losses dropped to less than 2%!
Your farm can also thrive with a few key changes.
š Final Thoughts
Chick mortality may feel discouraging, but you have the power to change the outcome.
To summarize:
✅ Set up a proper brooding area
✅ Provide balanced feed and clean water
✅ Follow a strict vaccination schedule
✅ Maintain top-notch hygiene
✅ Watch for early signs of disease
✅ Handle chicks with care
✅ Secure the brooder from pests and predators
✅ Keep good records
Raising healthy chicks means raising a stronger, more profitable flock.
Investing in the early days of your chicks’ lives will save you money, time, and heartache—and set your poultry business on a path to success.
Wow,, very educative
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