Farmed Animals

Broiler Chick Brooding and Early Welfare

The first week of broiler chick life sets welfare trajectories — temperature, feeding access, and litter quality in this period have lasting effects.

Key Facts

Chick mortality in the first week is 3-5% in well-managed flocks and higher in poorly managed ones
Dehydration on arrival affects cognitive and physical development of day-old chicks
Under-temperature brooding causes chick huddling that increases crushing mortality
Early nutrition affects leg bone development and long-term lameness risk

Welfare Considerations

The foundation of broiler welfare is established in the first week of life. Chicks that are cold, hungry, or dehydrated on arrival from hatchery are physiologically and behaviorally compromised for their entire production life. Good early brooding management that ensures rapid access to feed and water, appropriate temperature, and comfortable litter prevents welfare problems that would otherwise persist to slaughter.

What You Can Do

Support farms with documented early brooding management protocols and chick welfare checks
Advocate for hatchery-to-farm welfare standards that ensure chick quality on delivery
Choose chicken from certification schemes that include chick welfare standards
Support research into hatchery practices that optimize chick wellbeing from day one