Distinguishing between good and bad chicks

To discern the quality of chicklings, one can employ the method of "one look, two touches, and three listens" to differentiate their strength and inferiority.

One Look

1. Mental State: Observe the chicklings' mental state. Healthy chicklings have bright eyes, are lively and curious about their new environment.
2. Feather Neatness: Examine the neatness of the chicklings' feathers and the degree of dirt adhesion. Healthy chicklings have glossy feathers of appropriate length, free from disarray or damage.
3. Limb Integrity: Carefully inspect the chicklings' beaks, legs, wings, and toes for any defects or malformations.
4. Agility: Healthy chicklings move swiftly and react promptly, able to move and stand freely.
5. Normal Eyes: Check the chicklings' eyes for brightness, absence of secretions or swelling.
6. Clean Vent: Observe the cleanliness of the chicklings' vent, ensuring no white feces or other dirt adheres.

Two Touches

1. Moderate Weight: Hold the chickling in your hand to feel its weight. Healthy chicklings have a moderate weight, neither too light nor too heavy.
2. Plump and Full-bodied: Touch the chickling's abdomen and chest to feel if they are full and elastic. Healthy chicklings have a soft abdomen of moderate size, with well-developed chest muscles.
3. Skeleton Development: By touching the chickling's skeleton, you can judge its development. Healthy chicklings have a solid skeleton, free from deformities or bends.
4. Yolk Absorption: Check the chickling's yolk absorption to ensure it is completely absorbed, with no exposure.
5. Navel Ring Closure: Observe the chickling's navel ring for proper closure, dryness, and coverage with down.

Three Listens

1. Loud and Clear Calls: Healthy chicklings have loud and clear calls, reflecting their good health status.
2. Sensitive Response: Sensitivity to sound or other stimuli is also an important characteristic of healthy chicklings.

Weak Chickling Manifestations

Compared to healthy chicklings, weak ones typically exhibit the following characteristics:

1. Irregular Size: Weak chicklings often have inconsistent body sizes and weights.
2. Disheveled Feathers: Weak chicklings' feathers are usually disheveled and dull, easily stained with dirt.
3. Swollen Abdomen: Weak chicklings may have a swollen abdomen that feels hard, possibly indicating indigestion or incomplete yolk absorption.
4. Improper Navel Ring Closure: Weak chicklings may have an incompletely closed navel ring with mucus or blood adhering, and possible yolk exposure.
5. Lethargy: Weak chicklings are usually lethargic, withdrawn, slow to react, and cold-sensitive.

In summary, through careful observation, touching, and auditory judgment, we can effectively discern the strength and inferiority of chicklings. When purchasing chicklings, priority should be given to healthy, lively individuals of moderate weight to ensure the success rate and economic benefits of breeding.