Fatty liver disease

[Wyorp Rock]

Some people use baking soda to reduce odor. I don't know if you do. However, baking soda increases liver fat in poultry and can lead to fatty liver disease.

Do you have the reference where you found this information, it would be an interesting read

 

[anna-newhampshire]

I meant to say 'This man ONLY drank fresh fruit and vegetable juices for 60 days'

The documentary is free for a limited time. It's very entertaining and informative I promise.
Go and see it at the link.

 

[carol0622]

Fatty liver in humans is caused by excess (high caloric) carbs, high fructose corn syrup is a major villain for example. Is she used to 'treats' like leafy vegetables, cucumbers and the like?
They would be ideal for a while + some protein and little to no feed (for a few days).

My girls are extremely spoiled. They would get cucumbers, chopped up kale, watermelon and chopped tomatoes EVERY morning. But after reading an article online it appears that this could have been a cause of the issue? The article said that since the chickens would eat all the goodies, they weren't eating the properly balanced feed. They were filling up on treats. Since I read that I stopped giving veggies. The girls are p*ssed but I need to understand and know exactly what I can do to prevent this for the rest of them.

Fatty liver in humans is caused by excess (high caloric) carbs, high fructose corn syrup is a major villain for example. Is she used to 'treats' like leafy vegetables, cucumbers and the like?
They would be ideal for a while + some protein and little to no feed (for a few days).

 

[carol0622]

Some people use baking soda to reduce odor. I don't know if you do. However, baking soda increases liver fat in poultry and can lead to fatty liver disease.

Hi. No I don't use baking soda at all

 

[carol0622]

Did you ever notice any odd eggs or is she has a history of respiratory illness?

Since she has not laid eggs in a while, I wonder if she is suffering from Salpingitis and the FLD is secondary? Just speculation on my part. I'm sure Barbara will chime in.

I would provide her with her normal nutritionally balanced poultry feed. Tuna, egg or a little chopped meat are fine for a protein boost.

Hi. No, never issues with respiratory. And I've never noticed anything odd about her eggs either. Shes been extremely healthy until now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My girls are extremely spoiled. They would get cucumbers, chopped up kale, watermelon and chopped tomatoes EVERY morning. But after reading an article online it appears that this could have been a cause of the issue? The article said that since the chickens would eat all the goodies, they weren't eating the properly balanced feed. They were filling up on treats. Since I read that I stopped giving veggies. The girls are p*ssed but I need to understand and know exactly what I can do to prevent this for the rest of them.

Everything in moderation I like to give mine all the things you mention too. A lot depends on the protein % of your feed - I aim for "extras" to be no more than 10%of daily intake since I feed a 20%protein feed, I usually do not give "treats" until the afternoon, this way they have been eating their normal food for most of the day.

Modifying their diet may help lessen the chance of developing FLD, but personally I would not cut out the treats that you listed completely. To me those are not "unhealthy" - just think about how much you are giving.

While diet and excess fat do play a role in FLD, I do believe genetics and hormones are contributing factors as well. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...f-fatty-liver-hemorrhagic-syndrome-in-poultry

Just my opinion.

 

[anna-newhampshire]

So much online about this and its consumed me. It's all becoming jumbled as to what I should and shouldn't do.

That's why I started commenting. I can clear up the confusion. Here I go:

The treats are of two kinds:
1 - BAD for fatty liver, making the disease worse. Examples: scratch, pasta, bread, oatmeal, potatoes, rice
2 - HEALING for fatty liver. Examples: any vegetable or fruit that is not too sweet. Caution, potatoes are not vegetables and are in the BAD category.

If you are dealing with fatty liver and want to see quick positive results, put her/them on a diet like I said in my first
comment. In order to support my advice, I dug out the documentary link (which everyone politely ignored lol)
In the documentary, a "fat, sick and nearly dead' man eats nothing and drinks only vegetable and fruit juices for 60 days. He didn't starve and he healed himself.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

started In order to support my advice, I dug out the documentary link (which everyone politely ignored lol)

Not sure where you think everyone politely ignored your link
Your post is posted and public for all to see correct?

 

[dotporter]

Do you have the reference where you found this information, it would be an interesting read

Unfortunately I've been unable to find the original study. It seems that lately sodium bicarbonate has become the "wonder drug" of poultry. ugh

However, I do recall the mechanism of it. Sodium bicarbonate is known to cause ascites and gout in chickens. Especially in heavier meat breeds.

The increased salts are processed by the liver first.

While liver enlargement is mentioned merely as a part of ascites and gout caused by sodium bicarbonate, it is actually one of the first symptoms as the birds body works to balance out the ph and the liver filters the excess salts.

Thus, while sodium bicarbonate may not present fully as gout or ascites, it can cause enlarged liver prior to any clinical presentation of more advanced disease.

I've included two links which show the relation of sodium bicarbonate to gout and ascites and the "casual" mention of the enlarged liver as a part of the symptoms. In fact, since the liver is the first organ involved, it's one of the first symptoms to present.

In cases in which the level of sodium bicarbonate isn't high enough to ever develop into a more serious health condition, it can still affect the liver over time causing a chronically enlarged liver.

(I think I got all of that in the right order. It was something I was studying a few years ago in relation to duck management.)

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gout
https://en.engormix.com/poultry-industry/articles/ascites-in-broiler-chickens-t35214.htm

 

[anna-newhampshire]

^^ @Wyorp Rock

There's room for everyone in the run, don't start pecking.