Mortality Patterns
The average mortality patterns observed are shown in Figure 1. (See page 2.) Since no significant differences were observed between houses, only average date are shown. These data show that broiler mortality usually peaks at approximately 3 to 4 days after placement, declines until approximately day 9 or 10 then stabilizes until approximately day 30. After day 30 a gradually increase is seen until approximately day 40 to 45. After day 45, mortality rates increased until harvest. The pattern is similar to results reported by Xin et al. (1994); however, their data indicated a slightly higher 2-week mortality, somewhat lower 8-week mortality, with similar 6-week mortality on 10 consecutive flocks of 8-week male broilers.