Mortality is an important performance indicator in broiler production. A few losses may occur in any flock, but unexpected or increasing mortality should always be investigated.

Reducing mortality begins with understanding why birds die. Causes can involve chick quality, brooding, disease, water, feed, ventilation, temperature, litter, stocking density, handling, or other management factors.

Start With Quality Chicks

Healthy chicks from a reliable supplier provide a stronger starting point for the production cycle.

Record the number of chicks received and inspect them when they arrive. Note any unusual weakness, injuries, dehydration, or other concerns.

Prepare the House

The poultry house should be prepared before chicks arrive.

  • Clean the house.
  • Disinfect appropriately.
  • Prepare clean litter.
  • Test drinkers.
  • Prepare feeders.
  • Test heating equipment.
  • Check ventilation.
  • Remove hazards.

Focus on the First Week

Early chick management is extremely important. Chicks should have easy access to feed and clean water while being kept in a suitable thermal environment.

Observe chick behaviour regularly rather than relying on a single temperature reading.

Maintain Water Availability

Water should be available continuously.

Check drinking systems throughout the day. A water tank may be full while birds still cannot drink because a pipe is blocked or drinker pressure is incorrect.

Look for:

  • Blocked drinkers
  • Leaks
  • Low water pressure
  • Dirty drinkers
  • Empty tanks

Provide Appropriate Feed

Feed should be appropriate for the birds' production stage and stored correctly.

Farmers should monitor both feed consumption and feed quality. A sudden reduction in feed intake may be an early indication of environmental or health problems.

Control Temperature

Young chicks are particularly sensitive to temperature. Older birds are more affected by excessive heat.

Farmers should monitor environmental conditions and observe bird behaviour.

Improve Ventilation

Ventilation removes heat, moisture, dust, and unwanted gases while supplying fresh air.

Poor ventilation can contribute to poor air quality and respiratory stress. However, excessive drafts can also create problems.

The appropriate ventilation strategy changes as birds grow.

Manage Litter

Wet litter can contribute to poor air quality and other management problems.

Check areas around drinkers regularly. Repair leaks and replace excessively wet litter when necessary.

Avoid Excessive Stocking Density

Overcrowding can make it more difficult for birds to access feed and water and can increase heat and litter-management challenges.

Stocking density should be appropriate for the housing system, bird size, ventilation capacity, climate, and management conditions.

Monitor Mortality Every Day

Do not wait until the end of the production cycle to calculate mortality.

Date Bird Age Deaths Total Mortality Observation
Date Day 1 Record Record Observation
Date Day 2 Record Record Observation
Date Day 3 Record Record Observation

Calculate Mortality Rate

A simple mortality percentage can be calculated as:

Mortality Rate = (Number of Birds Lost ÷ Starting Number of Birds) × 100

For example, if 4 birds are lost from a flock that started with 100 birds:

(4 ÷ 100) × 100 = 4%

Watch for Sudden Changes

A sudden increase in mortality is more concerning than a stable pattern of low losses.

When mortality changes, review:

  • Feed
  • Water
  • Temperature
  • Ventilation
  • Litter
  • Recent management changes
  • Vaccination records
  • Medication records
  • Bird behaviour

Seek Professional Help When Necessary

Mortality can have many causes, and the cause cannot always be determined from appearance alone.

If deaths increase unexpectedly or birds show serious signs of illness, contact a qualified veterinarian or poultry-health professional.

Do Not Hide Mortality Records

Accurate records are more useful than perfect-looking records.

Recording every loss allows the farmer to identify patterns and compare different batches.

Mortality and Profit

Mortality has a direct financial effect because birds that die cannot generate selling revenue.

For example, if a farm starts with 100 birds and sells 92, revenue is based on the 92 birds sold, not the original 100.

Mortality should therefore be included when calculating expected revenue and profit.

Practical Mortality-Reduction Checklist

  • Buy quality chicks.
  • Prepare the house before arrival.
  • Provide clean water.
  • Provide suitable feed.
  • Maintain appropriate brooding conditions.
  • Maintain ventilation.
  • Keep litter dry.
  • Avoid excessive stocking density.
  • Maintain biosecurity.
  • Record mortality daily.
  • Investigate unusual deaths quickly.

Final Thoughts

Reducing mortality requires a combination of good management and early problem detection.

There is no single action that guarantees zero mortality. However, careful chick management, reliable water, suitable feed, good ventilation, proper litter management, biosecurity, and accurate records can significantly improve flock management.