Water belly (Ascites) management in a flock of broilers

Mrs Kasendi Mutinda inside her holding structure where she rears over 500 layers at Ngengeka village in Kitui county. The birds give the farmer 12 crates of eggs per day. She says demand for eggs is steady and unmet. [File, Standard]

The term Ascites refers to accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity because of heart failure. It is also commonly referred to as water belly. Although most people refer to it as a disease, it is a metabolic disorder that is commonly seen in fast growing birds during the cooler months of the period. Broilers by their nature are fast growing birds, they can double their day- old weight by day 4 and by day 7, they will weigh 4 times their placement weight.

Causes of water belly