Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome

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Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (also referred to as fatty liver syndrome), a disease in chickens and other birds, affects only hens (females). ^[1] Birds with this disease have large amounts of fat deposited in their liver and abdomen. ^[2] This often results in an enlarged liver that is easily damaged and prone to bleeding. ^[3] In some cases the disease is fatal, usually as a result of blood loss from an internal hemorrhage in the liver. ^[1] The hemorrhage often occurs when a hen is straining to lay her egg. ^[3] Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome is "the major cause of mortality in laying hens." ^[4]

[edit] Causes

Excessive dietary energy intake is believed to be the cause of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome. ^[3] Heredity may also play a role, but it is not the entire cause for the disease. ^[1] Birds housed in cages will more likely be affected because they are unable to exercise to burn off the extra dietary energy. ^[3] Walking hens are less likely to develop this problem. The disease is observed most often in birds that appear to be healthy and in a state of high egg production. ^[3] As a result, death can occur quite unexpectedly.

[edit] Symptoms

Affected birds are usually overweight and may also have pale combs. ^[2] Generally, however, the disease has few or no symptoms prior to the bird's death. ^[5]

[edit] References