You enter the chick rearing area and find your chicks tightly pressed against each other, in a compact pile? This behaviour is never trivial. It is one of the signals that the NEXTEKCI team teaches all its clients to decode, as well interpreted, it allows for action before losses.
Cause #1: the cold
This is by far the most common explanation. A day-old chick does not yet regulate its temperature: when it is cold, it seeks the warmth of others. The pile is its only defence.
The action that saves: immediately increase the heat and check that the source is functioning correctly. Remember the NEXTEKCI rule: chicks huddled together = cold, chicks away from the source = too hot, chicks well distributed = correct temperature.
Cause #2: the draught
A generally heated room can hide a localized draught: poorly closed door, opening facing the wind, torn tarpaulin. The chicks flee the ventilated area and huddle at the opposite end.
The action that saves: observe WHERE the pile forms. If it is always in the same place, look for the draught in front and seal it. The room must maintain a stable temperature without draughts.
Cause #3: fear
A sudden noise, a lurking predator, too many visitors: panic causes the chicks to group in a corner, with an immediate risk of suffocation.
The action that saves: choose a calm and secure area, limit entries (dedicated shoes, hand washing) and protect the room from predators.
Cause #4: overcrowding
Too many chicks for the available space: stress, crushing, competition at the drinker. The pile then becomes permanent and dangerous.
The action that saves: respect the recommended density and provide soft lighting that helps the chicks to distribute themselves.
The real danger: crushing
In a pile, the chicks at the bottom suffocate. Each episode of piling can cost lives. That is why the NEXTEKCI guideline is simple: observe the flock morning and evening during the first week, and for 2 to 3 hours straight on the day of receipt.
In case of a persistent pile despite your corrections, do not guess: send photos or videos to the NEXTEKCI WhatsApp at +225 05 44 83 27 79, our team will give you quick advice to save your flock.