Optimizing Day-Old Broiler Chick Placement with AquaBeads®

The Challenge of Hatchling Placement in Poultry Production

For poultry producers, the first 24 hours at the farm are critical. Early access to hydration and nutrition directly impacts chick survival rates, growth performance, and long-term flock productivity. However, many farms face challenges such as dehydration, poor feed uptake, and delayed gut development, leading to higher mortality and suboptimal performance in the first week. Studies have shown that high mortality rates during the first week are common, often due to infections like septicemia, with some reports indicating that infections caused by E. coli can represent up to 70% of total mortality within the first 72 hours after placement¹.

Traditionally, chicks rely on access to waterers and dry feed upon placement. However, stress from transport, environmental fluctuations, and variable feed consumption can hinder optimal hydration and nutrition intake. The result is poor feed conversion rates (FCR), reduced weight gain, and increased first-week mortality. Research indicates that chicks from older breeders have a 26% higher mortality risk during the first week compared to those from younger breeders².

AquaBeads®, a feed attractant and hydration supplement from ClearH2O, offers a solution to mitigate these challenges and ensure a strong start for your birds.

How AquaBeads® Improve Early Chick Development

AquaBeads® are green gel beads designed to be applied as a top-dressing to the starter feed when chicks or poults are first placed at the farm. Recent trials conducted at the University of Arkansas and Mississippi State University have shown that supplementing with AquaBeads® during the first days post-placement can lead to measurable benefits:

• Enhanced Intestinal Development: Research indicates that AquaBeads® increases intestinal length and weight as a proportion of body weight, promoting better nutrient absorption and gut health³.
• Improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): Birds supplemented with AquaBeads® showed a lower FCR, meaning they converted feed into body mass more efficiently. In one study, the FCR improved from 1.08 in control groups to 0.97 in chicks receiving AquaBeads® for three consecutive days⁴.
• Lower First-Week Mortality: In a commercial-scale study at Mississippi State University, chicks receiving AquaBeads® supplementation exhibited a lower first-week mortality rate compared to the control group³.
• Better Hydration and Feed Consumption: Because AquaBeads® is quickly consumed, it provides early hydration, electrolytes and betaine to help guard against the impact of post-transit and placement stress.

How to Use AquaBeads® in Your Broiler Program

• Placement Strategy: Distribute AquaBeads® evenly across feed trays or paper at a rate of 1g per chick for the first 1-3 days. The gel format ensures that birds receive consistent hydration and nutrients, even before they fully acclimate to dry feed and water systems.
• Pair with Starter Feeds: AquaBeads® works best as a top-dressing on starter feed, attracting birds to eat while providing additional hydration to aid digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Monitor Chick Performance: Producers have reported higher body weights by day 7 in birds supplemented with AquaBeads®.
• Book a Consultation: We’re happy to discuss the specifics of your poultry operation and develop a specialized plan to help you get the most out of AquaBeads®. Book a consultation with us today.

The Bottom Line: A Stronger Start, A More Profitable Flock

Ensuring optimal hydration and early nutrient uptake is essential for reducing first-week mortality and improving overall flock performance. AquaBeads® provides a proven, science-backed solution that supports intestinal development, feed conversion efficiency, and survival rates in newly placed chicks.

For live production managers seeking to optimize early-stage growth and set flocks up for long-term success, AquaBeads® is a simple yet effective tool that can make a measurable difference in poultry production outcomes.

Interested in learning more about implementing AquaBeads® at your farm? Contact us today to request a trial and see the results firsthand.

References:

1. Minimizing the first week mortality in chicks caused by bacterial infections.
2. Factors Associated with Cumulative First-Week Mortality in Broiler Chickens.
3. Evaluation of AquaBeads® Supplementation on First-Week Mortality and Growth in Broiler Chicks.
4. Evaluation of AquaBeads® on the Growth Performance and Intestinal Development of Broiler Chicks.
5. Influence of the preplacement holding time and feeding hydration supplementation before placement on yolk sac utilization, the crop filling rate, feeding behavior and first-week broiler performance.
6. Some hatchery factors involved in early chick mortality.