Ascites in Broiler Chickens

Ascites is very common in broiler breeders and may end up with 20 to 30% mortality.Once started, it is very difficult to control and can some breeders experts through some light on this ?

So what can I do doc to save my chickens

Yes doc

can you eat chickens with ascites

Dear Ms.Robbie, Properly cleaned carcasses of chicken affected with Ascites (Water Belly) may be cooked as normal chicken since fluid accumulated in belly is not due to diseases. To make you understand easily I would like to detail in brief pathogenesis. How does ascites occur ? Cornis breeds ?? High rate of gain ?? High energy feed Rapid increase in muscle mass ?? High oxygen demand for muscle growth Increased oxygen consumption ?? Slow growth rate of heart & lungs relative to skeletal muscle Hypoxia (Decreased PO2 in blood) ?? Increased cardiac output = Increased amount of blood pumped by heart. ?? Increased blood flow to lungs ?? Increased no.of circulating Red blood cells (Polycythmia) ?? Increased hemoglobin inside RBCs Pulmonary hypertension (Increased pulmonary blood pressure) ?? Increased work load on right Ventricles to pump blood to lungs ?? Dialated right ventricle with thickened wall Failure of overworked right ventricle (Right side heart failure) ?? Systemic hypertension Loss of fluid across liver capsule into body cavity. ?? Fluid accumulation in air sacs & lungs (Suffocation) .. Leading to death. Thanks, GKD

Dear Ms.Omely Nasho, Insights of my article & suggested points from respected forum members you may follow to prevent ascites problem. ?? Decrease energy / Limit feeds ?? Chickens should be acclimated to dark out periods from an early age to minimise panic when Turning of house light at night. ?? Control sodium level ?? Prevent Furazolidone or Coaltar toxicity in feed & poultry house. ?? Prevent Vit E & Selenium deficiency. ?? Maintain good air quality with adequate ventilation ?? Reduce ammonia in farms treating with litter conditioner - Liiteron+ Thanks, GKD

Sir we are getting legweakness in 1 St nd 2 nd week we have been using neurobion and calcium supplements in some cases working but in some not working kindly give any suggestions

Dear Dr. Amara. Beside calcium, you should to check biotin, manganese in feed. some case legweakness in 2 weeks chicken can be caused my mycoplasma synoviae infection

Some time ascites may be due to sever kidney failure due to ochratoxin infection and liver disfunction by aflatoxin infection

During winter, ambient temperature inside poultry houses could get lower with a potential consequence of a decrease in body temperature of birds unless the temperature inside the house is controlled . Even in environmentally controlled houses, temperature inside the house could get lower by 5-10 F due to incoming air for ventilation purpose. Such condition will trigger an increased oxygen demand by the birds for metabolism to generate heat and maintain body temperature. In our study, we found that unless the oxygen concentration in the poultry house is maintained above 19.6%, Ascites will occur due to an increased pressure in the pulmonary artery causing an increase in pressure of the portal and mesenteric veins leading to plasma like fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity.

How can I prevent ascities before starting winter season, either by altering feed or by prevention treatment

We found there is the main reason for Ascites is less Oxygen, in Winter season when we packed our poultry shed with any kind of Veils here Amonia load grow double then previous . As a result Amonia is more, in the other hand Oxygen is Less .

I appreciate the topic on facing occasional ascities in broilers.There were plethora of reasons to retrive the actual clause.Some of those points have already been discussed.To add further the feeds being offered is deserverd to be checked thoroughly for not inheriting Aflatoxin level beyond 50 ppb otherwise the fate becomes inevitable to exert load to hepatic system leadind to cirrhosis and ascitis as its aftermath.Inclusion of antioxidents like vitc and vite in appropiate levels along with vitbcomplex and hepato tonner in doubled dose would improve the crisis upto greater extent

YOU think if we increased the energy of feed it will be helpful ,another thing we can use to minimize the amonia inside the farm,with good ventillation will increase the oxygen inside the poultry farms

The energy by protein ratio is the key factor to ensure growth.Enhancing energy in proportionate to protein value especially digestible amino acids value should be prioritised .Of course the ventilation with more oxygen access would improve the status.Dont forget the use of rampant room heaters are also the element to reduce oxygen level in the firm especially in winter.Better keep an exhost to drive away stale air which should have passage to enter afresh concomitantly.

Low brooding temperatures and the accompanying respiratory distress and wet droppings lead to wet litter. The respiratory and digestive tracts respond to chilling with increased mucous secretion hence the wet droppings and respiratory distress. Wet litter promotes bacterial fermentation and increased ammonia production. Ammonia irritates the respiratory tract leading to further respiratory distress, tissue hypoxia, increased pumping by the heart and respiratory rate in an attempt to bring in more oxygen. Inadequate oxygen supply to tissues and cardiac overload leads to accumulation of metabolic wastes, capillary damages and oedema. Mycotoxins, poor ventilation and overcrowding worsens the scenario save for secondary infections. Good husbandry is the key to control.

Ascites was known as high altitude diease because it was first reported in mountainous area. It is much associated with lack or shortage of oxygen. I personally had experience with young chicks aging not more than 7 to 10 days with ascites. This was traced back to highlevel of CO2 in the hatchery. During winter time when diesel operated heaters were used to heat up the houses and somtimes all fans were of, cases increase in number. The problem could be reduced with proper ventilation, addition of vitamin E with od without Selenium

To me the main cause of Ascites is improper ventilation.I have seen many farmers get confused with the signs of the Ascites and the bacterial infection such as congested lungs , changed color of liver accompanied with the small amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity and near heart. Ascites is accompanies with the mortality and go undiagnosed .After proper ventilation ascites subsides after a weak.

Renal damage due to excessive overdose of antibiotics during brooding as well as improper brooding conditions are criminating agents. Ensure feed is free from mycotoxins. As seen in high altitude disease in large animal, proper ventilation is essential to remove CO2 fast from pen.

The crux of the matter is poor hygiene .poor ventillation.feeding.microtoxin level.and oxygen depletion.liver tenacity.mal kidney function etc.would compund to precipitate ascities in the firm.You should develop the clinical eye to ascertain the key reasons amongst above sated causes for rapid redressal.