Risk factors for cumulative mortality in broiler chicken flocks in the first week of life in Taiwan

Abstract

1. Factors influencing the survival of chickens in the first week of life in Taiwan were identified by modelling data from 63% of the annual national broiler production database (4769 broiler flocks). 2. Broiler chicks raised in rooms with open-curtain ventilation had the lowest mean first week cumulative mortality (CM), 1·30%, relative to those raised in rooms with negative pressure ventilation (1·42%) and water-cooled ventilation (1·37%). Increasing flock size reduced the CM. Broiler chicks shipped distances within 50 km had the lowest CM (1·22%), while broiler chicks raised in mountain areas showed the highest CM (1·65%). 3. Multiple regression analysis results indicate that ventilation type, flock size, shipping distance and delivery route influence CM in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks kept in rooms with negative pressure ventilation have an 11·22% greater CM compared to those in rooms with open-curtain ventilation. For each 1000-chicken increase in flock size, CM is reduced by 0·12%. For each kilometre increase in shipping distance, CM increases by 0·05%. Broiler chicks delivered via mountain routes show a 9·48% increase in CM compared to delivery via flat terrain. 4. Negative pressure ventilation and delivery via mountain routes are the most critical factors affecting the survival of chicks up to one week old.