Broiler with air-filled chest

[PotterWatch]

I have a broiler with a chest full of air. It really does seem to be just air, not fluid, but I've never seen anything like it before. It's only one bird out of the batch (they are 6wks old but we noticed it about 5 days ago when we were moving the tractor). Anyone seen something like that before and what could it be? We are planning to cull the bird this afternoon if I can't find out anything about it and determine that it won't affect the meat. It doesn't seem to be a very big bird under that puffed up chest.

 

[PotterWatch]

We culled him this evening. I couldn't find any literature that told me what the problem might be and it's too big of a risk for me to eat a bird that might be sick. As soon as I cut the throat, the esophagus was bulging through the cut so there was definitely something wrong. I'd still like to hear from anyone who has seen something similar before.

 

[JoePa]

I saw that subject discussed on the disease forum - if I remember correctly someone suggested deflating the bird with a pin to let the air out - do a search on the subject of air under the skin - hope that helps -

 

[PotterWatch]

Thanks. I have done a few searches here and on google but haven't found anything that really tells me what the cause might be. I'll keep looking though!

 

[ranit]

I'm not sure exactly what causes it, but we did have a quail one time that filled with air. I did as JoePa mentioned and "deflated" it by sticking a pin in the air pocket. The air escaped and never had the problem again.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

Subcutanious Emphasiema

Basically one or more of the air sacs get ruptured and allow air to leak out of the respritory system into the space under the skin. Can be caused by direct injury or also possibly from respritory infection.

Drianing the air with a large hypodermic needle does work, Also antibiotics might be waranted to prevent secondary infection.

Given it was a 6 week broiler culling sounds like a good call too.

 

[PotterWatch]

Thanks for the information! I'll know what to do if I see it again!

 

[Dogfish]

Thanks. Learned something new.