Starting a poultry farm can be profitable, but the quality of chicks purchased at the beginning can determine how successful the entire flock becomes. Whether a farmer is raising broilers for meat, layers for eggs or improved indigenous chickens, buying weak or unhealthy chicks can lead to high mortality, slow growth, poor egg production and increased veterinary costs.
Choosing quality day-old chicks is therefore one of the most important decisions a poultry farmer makes. A good chick should be active, healthy, properly vaccinated where applicable and obtained from a reliable hatchery or supplier.
Buy chicks from a reliable hatchery
The first step is to identify a reputable hatchery with a good track record. Farmers should avoid buying chicks from unknown suppliers simply because they offer lower prices. Cheap chicks can become expensive if they have poor genetics, inadequate vaccination or a high risk of disease.
A reliable hatchery should be able to provide information about the breed or strain, hatch date, vaccination programme and source of the parent stock. Farmers should also ask about the hatchery’s chick handling and transportation practices.
It is advisable to order chicks in advance, particularly when buying large numbers. This allows the farmer to communicate clearly with the hatchery and prepare the brooder before the chicks arrive.
Check the chicks’ activity and alertness
When collecting day-old chicks, observe their behaviour carefully. **Healthy chicks are generally active, alert and responsive**. They should move around the box rather than remain inactive in one corner.
A chick that is weak, excessively sleepy or unable to stand properly may have health or handling problems. Avoid selecting chicks that appear unusually sluggish.
The chicks should also be reasonably uniform in size. Some variation can occur naturally, but a box containing many noticeably small, weak or poorly developed chicks may indicate problems with hatch quality or flock management.
Examine the Eyes, beak and legs
The physical appearance of a chick can provide useful clues about its condition. Healthy chicks should have clear, bright eyes without swelling, discharge or crusting.
The beak should be properly formed, while the legs should appear strong and capable of supporting the chick. Avoid chicks with obvious deformities, severely crooked legs or difficulty standing and walking.
The feathers or down should be dry and relatively clean. Chicks that are wet, heavily soiled or have unusual discharge around the vent should be treated as potential health risks.
Check the vent and abdomen
The vent is another area farmers should inspect when possible. It should be clean and free from excessive droppings or signs of pasting.
A dirty or pasted vent can be associated with digestive problems and may increase the risk of early chick losses.
The abdomen should also appear normal, without obvious swelling or abnormalities. Farmers do not need to handle chicks excessively; a quick visual assessment is usually preferable to unnecessary stress.
Confirm the hatch date
Day-old chicks should be purchased as close to the hatch date as practical. Farmers should ask the supplier when the chicks hatched and how long they have been held before collection.
Delays between hatching, collection and placement in the brooder can contribute to dehydration and stress, particularly when chicks are transported over long distances.
Once chicks arrive on the farm, they should have immediate access to a properly prepared brooding environment.
Ask about vaccination
Vaccination is an important part of poultry health management. However, the vaccination programme can differ depending on the type of bird, hatchery and local disease risks.
Farmers should ask the hatchery which vaccines, if any, were administered before the chicks were supplied. The information should be recorded and used when planning the farm’s subsequent vaccination programme with guidance from a qualified animal health professional.
Never assume that every day-old chick has received the same vaccines. Confirm the details with the supplier.
Look for uniformity
Uniformity is particularly important for commercial poultry production. Chicks that are relatively uniform tend to be easier to manage because they have similar growth requirements.
A flock with significant differences in size from the beginning may require closer monitoring. Smaller chicks can struggle to compete for feed and water, potentially resulting in uneven growth.
For broiler farmers, uniformity can influence the ability to reach target market weights at approximately the same time. For layers, good early development contributes to the establishment of a productive flock.
Consider the breed and production goal
Farmers should not buy chicks simply because they are available. The breed or strain should match the intended business.
A farmer interested in commercial meat production may choose a suitable broiler strain, while someone producing table eggs should select an appropriate layer strain. Farmers targeting the market for indigenous or improved indigenous chicken may require a different type of bird.
Before ordering, determine whether the goal is meat, eggs, breeding stock or dual-purpose production. This prevents farmers from purchasing birds that do not match their market.
Transport chicks carefully
Even high-quality chicks can become weak if they are transported poorly. Day-old chicks should be handled gently and protected from extreme temperatures, overcrowding, rain and excessive delays.
Transport containers should have adequate ventilation without exposing chicks to strong wind. Farmers should avoid unnecessary stops during transportation and move the chicks to their prepared brooder as quickly as possible.
The brooder should already be clean, warm and equipped with accessible feed and water before the chicks arrive.
Prepare before buying the chicks
One of the biggest mistakes farmers make is buying chicks before preparing the farm. The brooder should be cleaned and disinfected, litter prepared and feeders and drinkers positioned before the chicks arrive.
The farmer should also have appropriate starter feed and clean drinking water ready. Brooding temperature and ventilation should be managed according to the chicks’ behaviour and the recommendations for the particular breed or production system.
Good preparation reduces stress and gives chicks a better start.
Avoid buying chicks based only on price
Price is important when calculating poultry farming costs, but it should not be the only consideration. A slightly cheaper chick can become costly if it has poor growth, high mortality or inadequate health protection.
Farmers should consider the reputation of the hatchery, chick quality, breed performance, vaccination information, transport arrangements and expected market returns.
Buying quality chicks is an investment in the future productivity of the flock.
Knowing how to choose quality day-old chicks can help poultry farmers reduce early mortality, improve growth and establish healthier flocks. Farmers should buy from reputable hatcheries, inspect chicks for activity and physical abnormalities, confirm the hatch date and vaccination history, and select breeds that match their production goals.
However, quality chicks are only the beginning. Proper brooding, feeding, clean water, hygiene, vaccination, disease prevention and good farm management are equally important.
For farmers starting poultry farming in Kenya, taking time to select healthy chicks and preparing the brooder before purchase can make a significant difference in the performance and profitability of the entire poultry enterprise.
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
