3 Interesting Facts: How to Prevent Fatty Liver Syndrome in Poultry

Fatty liver syndrome is a slow-killing disease in poultry to which most farmers pay little attention or, at the least, are unaware.

It occurs when a high quantity of fat accumulates in the hen’s liver beyond what it can naturally store, causing it to rupture and haemorrhage.

What causes a fatty liver

Fatty Liver Syndrome can be triggered by a mixture of factors, including heat stress, especially during the summer, lack of exercise, egg-laying, high carbohydrate feed, a low-protein high-fat diet, and mouldy food, to name a few.

1. Highg carbohydrate feed

High carbohydrate content in broiler feed resulting to fat accumulation is a regular occurrence. Fatty liver syndrome is considered to be the cause of sudden death in the flock.

Birds are constantly exposed to feed and have less movement. To avoid this, make sure you get the proper carbohydrate content measurement for your feed formulation.

2. Lack of exercise

Because laying birds in battery cage systems are limited from making strenuous movements, they are more likely to gain weight if fed high-energy feed.

However, a farm yard with strong biosecurity compliance can use a semi-intensive method to occasionally release the birds to exercise.

3. Low-protein high-fat diet

A poultry feed with a high fat level and low protein content might be harmful to the animal’s health. When making your feed, use caution or, if possible, use pre-formulated feed from a reputable source.

What are the symptoms of fatty liver

Idleness in the bird is one symptoms you are likey to observe. Mostly, it may not occur to you and before you realize the birds will start falling off.