Ascities in Broilers

Several measures againt Ascities in Broilers Poultry

As mortality of broilers is increasing due to Ascities during winters, it causes a severe losses in this regions. As the Genetics has been blamed for Ascities  however,  a considerable number of ascites occurrences are triggered by microbial factors (E. coli, Salmonella sp., Aspergillus) coupled with contributing environmental and nutritional factors. Acidifiers have gained considerable attention in modern animal production as an efficient alternative to antibiotics. Dietary acidification with organic acids has been shown to contribute to environmental hygiene by preventing feed and water from microbial and fungal deterioration. Moreover, dietary supplementation with acidifiers decreases the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving animals' growth performance and health status. It is also proven that acidifiers successfully fight against gastrointestinal pathogens. With promising results in the alleviation of ascites in broilers. First, it is important to understand the underlying causes of an ascites occurrence in a poultry farm. 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 the feed intake of broilers decreases the growth performance. In the case of ascites caused by microorganisms, recent studies with acidifiers have shown promising results. Of course, optimal management practices are also very important.

Several  measures have been shown to reduce the incidence of ascites in broilers.

1. Reduced feed intake :    Feed restriction be done in first two weeks post-hatch. 

2. Early switch to grower-finisher diets : Providing less dense diets during early age.

3. Skip-a-day feed regime : 

4. Meal versus pellet diets :  Higher fiber content, can be used to reduce feed intake indirectly, without limiting feed intake through management.

5. Vitamin C and E 

6. Sodium bicarbonate 
Adding one percent sodium bicarbonate in broiler feed can reduce the incidence of ascites, but adding the same compound in drinking water has been shown to aggravate the problem of ascites. 

7. Coccidiostats 
Using coccidiostats in feed has been shown to reduce the problems of ascites by half, especially when different coccidiostats are rotated within the same flock.

8. Acetylsalicylic acid 
Adding this widely available medication in drinking water has been shown, in some cases, to be of general help against ascites.

9. Feed protein 
Feeding diets with less protein (up to four percent less) can reduce the oxygen demand for the catabolism of excess protein, and this is important because ascites are generally associated with oxygen insufficiency.

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