Is Ascites(waterbelly) due to growing conditions or bird genetics?

[tnchicken]

Anyone know much about this and is it safe to eat birds that apparently had it when processed?

 

[Brunty_Farms]

It's a growing condition and it's from rapid growth. I wouldn't eat any bird that hasn't been killed by me personally. If it means anything...if the broilers have this when they go through the commercial processing facility they are immediately thrown away for by-broducts.