What causes ascites in broilers?

What causes ascites in broilers?

An imbalance between oxygen supply and the oxygen required to sustain rapid growth rates and high food efficiencies causes ascites in broiler chickens. Because of the relationship to oxygen demand, ascites is affected and/or precipitated by factors such as growth rate, altitude (hypoxia) and environmental temperature.

How do I control ascites in my broiler?

4. Feed programs to control early growth. Well managed feed programs to control early growth (e.g. reducing the nutrient density of the diet, changing feed form) may help reduce Ascites. Implement programs after 7 days of age to ensure chicks get a good start.

How do you treat ascites in chickens?

In the case of ascites caused by genetics, feed restriction might reduce the effect of the disease. Slower growing birds have reduced oxygen needs allowing the cardiopulmonary organs (heart and lungs) to keep up with oxygen demands of the birds. However, reducing feed intake decreases broiler growth performance.

How do you prevent ascites in chickens?

Reducing the birds’ metabolic oxygen requirement by slowing growth or reducing feed density or availability can prevent ascites caused by pulmonary hypertension syndrome.

Is ascites curable in chickens?

Ascites syndrome is a non-infectious condition which cannot spread from bird to bird. While this is a good characteristic of this condition there is, unfortunately, no treatment for birds that are affected.

Can a chicken survive ascites?

While a hen can live her entire life with a small cyst, if the cyst enlarges to the point that it is exerting constant pressure on the internal organs, it can be fatal.

Does ascites go down at night?

Initially, the swelling may go down overnight. As the condition worsens, however, the swelling may spread up the leg and be present day and night. As more fluid builds up, it may spread up to the chest and cause difficulty breathing.