Suggested:
Observations in a research project show that the chicks that hatch first in the barn quickly take up food and water, building a developmental advantage.
Observations in a research project indicate that the chicks hatched first in the barn quickly consume food and water, gaining a developmental advantage.
Broiler chicks that start life without transport stress and with early access to food and water could develop better - this is a reason to allow the animals to hatch in the barn. However, this comes with increased heating costs, a shorter service period, and a higher need for labor.
In particular, the removal of unhatched or non-viable chicks and their humane euthanization is a significant responsibility for the farmer practicing barn hatching.
The Chamber of Agriculture observed chicks
Within the framework of a research project with eight participating farms, the development of chicks that were hatched either in the barn or in the hatchery was examined. The comparison also included quickly and slowly growing origins.
Project supervisor Niels Luther-Köhne from the Chamber of Agriculture in Lower Saxony observed that the chicks hatched first in the barn quickly consume food and water, gaining a developmental advantage. As a result, the herds in the early rearing phase often appeared very inhomogeneous.
Temperature control device. This must be continuously monitored. (Image source: Waterloh)
Slowing down quickly growing breeds
Luther-Köhne suggested considering a "slow growth" feeding strategy in the initial phase for quickly growing origins. A too high 7-day weight can also lead to the occurrence of "sprawlers" and leg injuries. A positive aspect of hatching in the barn was that the animals behaved calmer.
However, the economic impact of hatching in the barn is strongly dependent on the farm. The slower-growing animals did not have higher final weights. A farm with quickly growing origins was able to achieve an average of 86 g higher animal weights in a total of ten evaluated runs. At the same time, feed consumption was higher, and losses were lower.
"This is a good operation, hatching in the barn pays off," said Luther-Köhne. Across all farms, hatching in the barn did not yield economic advantages. The evaluation still includes data on the health of the animals and the use of medication.
