Day old chicks are naturally well equipped for transport. Born with a residual yolk, they are comfortable without feed and water for up to two days – providing that temperature inside the chick boxes is kept within their thermoneutral zone. Within this narrow temperature range of 32 – 35 °C, the chick’s metabolism is just at maintenance level with minimal heat production and water loss.

If the temperature inside the chick boxes rises above this range, the chicks will start to use energy from the yolk sac at a much faster rate,to facilitate panting behaviour in an attempt to maintain an optimal body temperature of 39,5 – 40 °C. Proteins used for this purpose are then no longer available for the development of the immune and digestive systems. Panting produces increased water loss, with the risk of dehydration.

When the temperature at chick level is below the thermoneutral zone, the day old chicks are forced to use their own resources for thermoregulation, rather than for growth and health. In general terms, temperature stress causes discomfort while also suppressing productive efficiency.

Transport conditions are still too often neglected, when in fact they have the potential to significantly affect growth rate, feed conversion, meat yield and the development of the immune system. Optimizing these conditions is highly beneficial for subsequent performance on the farm.