Natural Treatment For Ascites (Water Belly) In Chickens
Channel: Sunshine Country Chickens
Date: 2023-05-14

Ascites (water belly)
Occurrence: Increasingly common worldwide especially in areas with high altitude or colder environment where gas brooders are needed extensively.
In order to treat ascites in poultry the herb "Eyebright" is added, in addition to the Brewer's yeast, to the poultry food at a rate of about 500 milligrams per 160 pounds of poultry per day for a period of 7 days.
Species affected: most are fast growing broilers and turkeys.
Age affected: Especially young, fast growing birds.
Causes: Non-contagious. Influenced by genetics, breeding, nutrition, growth rate, ambient temperature and oxygen content of the air.
Effects: Water-belly, abdominal distension, reluctance to move, dyspenic and cyanotic lesions seen. Affected birds are smaller than normal, and listless with ruffled feathers. Mortality ranges from 0.5-2.0% of the flock.

Risk Factors/Causes of Water Belly (Ascites)
Can be genetic
Result of being chilled as a chick 
Most common in broilers (usually diagnosed around 4-5 weeks old) 
Occurs more frequently in older laying hens than young chickens 
Living in high altitudes with less oxygen in the air 
Ingesting plant toxins 
Breathing ammonia fumes or excessive dust in the coop 
Inadequate ventilation in the coop 
Obesity 
Stress 
High protein feed which can lead to a build up of proteins in the vital organs 
Too much salt/sodium intake 
Exposure to E.coli or Salmonella pathogens 
Exposure to Aflatoxin fungus/Aspergillosis from moldy feed 
Exposure to Clostridium perfringens bacteria (similar to botulism)
Treatment:
There is some promising research being performed with oregano, more specifically, oregano essential oils.  Greek oregano has the highest concentration of a compound called carvacrol.  This compound increases the effectiveness of the digestive system.  The digestive system uses a large percentage of the oxygen (approx. 1/3) in birds with ascites.  This reduces the amount of oxygen available to other organs and tissues.  When the oregano essential oil was introduced in the diet of broiler birds with ascites, the mortality rate was reduced by 59%
Vitamin C is also being tested as a treatment option for birds with ascites.  Vitamin C has shown effective in treating birds with ascites.  This treatment is limited in effectiveness though.  Birds that have developed ascites due to a salt imbalance can benefit from additional vitamin C.  Vitamin C is not usually added in birds that have a well-balanced diet.
Other treatments that are being researched include brewer’s yeast, flax oil and the herb eyebright.  According to some research, these treatments can be used to reduce the instances of ascites and increase survival rates.

I have used brewer's yeast and eyebright herb to treat my chicken with water belly and have noticed an immediate improvement in her activity level, alertness and appears to be less accumulated fluid in her abdominal cavity.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/miscellaneous-conditions-of-poultry/ascites-syndrome-in-poultry


See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/ascites-syndrome


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