My Cornish X are dying

[wflohr]

I've been reading some of the posts on here that relate to my problem. My birds are in their sixth week, I've started removing food at night and using apple cider vinegar in their water. This morning I found one that looked like it was going to die, so I decided to kill it and remove the breast. They are around 3 lbs. and have a real nice breast on them. When I opened the body cavity up, about a cup of yellow liquid came out and I noticed there wasn't any fat in the cavity at all. Up until last tuesday I had been feeding nonmedicated chick starter grower and constant water 24/7 until I read some of the things on this form I shouldn't be doing. I've raised these birds for the last five years and haven't had this trouble before. I've had some die but not this. I started with 53 and now I'm down to 40. I've lost most of them in the last week. Anyone have any ideas what could be going on??

 

[JakRat]

Goodness that sounds like a possible infection. Not sure though. Keep us updated! I hope they get better soon.

 

[blueskylen]

i don't know what causes they fluid, but they say that the meat is unusable when they butcher and find fluid in the cavity. i had one last year at butcher time that the butcher threw away do to this.

Hopefully someone will fill us in on what causes it - whether it is too fast a weight gain or what.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I do not raise cornish x - so I am no expert. I have read that people who do raise them (cornish x) DO process and eat them with the ascities - but again I am no expert on cornish x.


What you are describing sounds like Ascites (waterbelly) to me. Here is on article about it: http://www.millerhatcheries.com/Inf...nfo/Ascites (waterbelly)_in_Meat_Chickens.htm and you can google to find more.


from the article:

Ascites syndrome is a type of congestive heart failure seen mainly in young rapidly growing meat type chickens. It has become a major concern to the poultry industry around the world and it is extremely common in Alberta poultry flocks.

Ascites is an accumulation of protein rich fluid in the body cavity. Because of the high protein level, there may be clots of yellow, jelly-like material.

 

[wflohr]

Thank you for the article on Ascites. This sounds exactly what is happening with my chickens. I have just started restricting their food intake, so we'll see if that helps. The other things that may cause it don't seem to be happening at my place. Sounds like it's the curse of this breed of bird. Thanks again.

 

[JakRat]

That was very informative.

I got a cornish x on accident and we had to send him to the "farm" broke my heart... they just get so big so fast that sometimes their genetics (modified ones of course)cause their demise... you may want to try baby vitamins too.