Fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome occurrence in laying hens: impact of production system.

Fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome occurrence in laying hens: impact of production system. Avian Pathol. 2018 Oct 22;:1-32 Authors: Shini A, Shini S, Bryden WL Abstract Surveys were conducted with cage and alternative layer production systems to assess the prevalence of fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS). Commercial caged laying hens of different ages from three farms in Queensland were monitored for 3 months. The mortality rate of flocks ranged from 0.8% (the youngest flock) to 11.6% (the oldest flock). Six hundred and fifty-one birds were necropsied, and approximately 40% of hens died due to FLHS. Hens kept in cages in a controlled environment shed, were at a similar risk of developing FLHS as hens kept in naturally controlled sheds, however the heavier birds in a flock were more likely to have the condition than lighter birds. In another study, layer flocks kept in cage, barn and free-range housing systems at the University of Queensland facility, were monitored for 50 weeks. Data from necropsies and performance records showed no significant differences in mortality rates between the housing systems (6.1%, 6.4% and 5.8%, for cages, barns and free-range, respectively), but the cause of mortality was different. In cages, 74% of necropsied hens died due to FLHS. In the other systems, only 0% to 5% of dead hens were diagnosed with the condition. These results are in agreement with previous Australian and overseas findings which h...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research