Skip to main content

4 Common Non-infectious Causes of Death in Chickens

1. Birth Defects

Chicks have birth defects just like humans and some chicks are hatched with defects. They may have a crooked leg or a crossed beak or be very small or weak or have something wrong internally.

The hatcheries try to remove these chicks when they hatch but not all birth defects are visible and some are missed in the sorting process. This is one reason why there are normally 2 extra chicks in a box. If you have one or two chicks that die in the first day or two or are just not right, do not worry too much about it. If the number is high there may be a hatchery problem and you should report to the agent and the supplier and get a vet to diagnose but a few deaths is not an issue.

2. Ascites or Waterbelly

This problem usually appears around 4 - 5 weeks of age particularly in broilers. It’s very common in July and August. The chicken may start gasping for air and the skin turns blue and it dies with a lot of water in the abdomen. The cause of this is poor brooding. Not enough ventilation or too much heat or too little heat. As a result, the heart and lungs do not develop well and when the bird starts to grow fast the heart and lungs cannot sustain the body size and it dies. There is no cure. Prevention is to sort out your brooding management.

3. Flip Over or Heart Failure

This usually occurs around 5 weeks in broilers especially in hot weather. The biggest healthiest looking birds die suddenly with no previous sign of sickness. They actually flip over and die on their backs. These deaths are actually heart failure due the body having outgrown the heart’s ability to sustain it.

The prevention is to withdraw feed on one day preferably in the afternoon for 4 hours. Usually this will solve the problem, but if any further cases repeat feed withdrawal for one more day.

4. Dishonest Employee Disease

This is the one that occurs where employees are allowed to take dead chickens home to eat and the number of deaths mysteriously climbs for no obvious reason. Usually only affects big chickens. Diagnosis is usually only possible by changing shifts around or doing the work yourself on a weekend or holiday. If no deaths occur the days when you are there then you may need to replace the employee or change the policy or both.

Do you have any questions or other forms of contributions, kindly use the comment section below for all your contributions.

- Ruth Henson

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to kill rats in your poultry house - using a mixture of baking soda, flour and sugar

Rats are dangerous animals in the poultry house and they cause problems both direct and indirect. Direct - they eat chicks or kill chicks rapidly. Indirect - they carry many diseases that affect chicks. Therefore, their presence in the poultry house is a big risk. However, it is a bit hard to control rats in the poultry house because most of the chemicals that kill rats are harmful to our birds. Nevertheless, today we shall break the secret on how to kill rats using safe methods. Remember I am an organic poultry farmer and I promote organic methods all the time. So now, let us see how to solve this rat issue. Organic method of getting rid of rats on farms and at home: Mix baking soda + flour + sugar at equal ratios 1:1:1. Mix thoroughly dry. Put them in small containers and place them at the corners of your poultry house. They will eat it and never return to disturb you again. If you have a small bowl of that size, you can also use it. Rats love flour and so will golf it. Secondly, t...

Investing in Cassava: Learn from the Success of Yemisi Iranloye

Investing in cassava can be a lucrative opportunity for investors looking to diversify their portfolios. With the rise in demand for cassava products and the success of entrepreneurs like Yemisi Iranloye, there are valuable lessons to be learned. In this article, we will explore the potential of cassava as an investment, Yemisi Iranloye's success story, and key considerations for investing in cassava farming. We will also discuss strategies for maximizing returns in cassava investment. Read on to discover the key takeaways from this article. Key Takeaways Cassava farming presents a profitable investment opportunity due to the increasing demand for cassava products. Yemisi Iranloye's success in cassava investment can be attributed to her background, strategic planning, and perseverance. Investors should assess the market potential for cassava products and consider the risks and challenges associated with cassava farming. Developing ...

How To Grow Rice: A Comprehensive Guide

Explore the world of rice cultivation with our in-depth guide that covers everything from selecting the right variety of rice seeds to the intricacies of planting, nurturing, and harvesting a bountiful rice crop. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a novice enthusiast, this comprehensive resource provides valuable insights, practical tips, and expert advice to help you optimize your rice yield. Uncover the secrets of soil preparation, water management, pest control, and sustainable farming practices that contribute to a successful rice harvest. Key Takeaways Choosing the appropriate rice variety involves understanding different rice types, considering climate and soil requirements, and ensuring seed quality and availability. Field preparation is crucial and includes soil preparation techniques, effective water management strategies, and the importance of proper drainage. Planting and nurturing require knowledge of rice transplanting methods, nutrient management, and specific wateri...