Necropsy results: Fatty Liver

[Dynamissa]

I’m sorry you went through all this. I was told by a person that works for the CT veterinary medical diagnostic lab that fatty liver is the number one cause of death in CT chickens anyway. Once i learned that, i literally structure their lives to be sure to get exercise at least twice a day. I take them for walks. I love when they run and I love more when they dig to china. swing those hips girls. I think my hens are probably overweight, but, I’m certainly not about to cut protein. protein is everything in our little chicken world. your case does seem genetic. Stay tough cause your doin’ your best. If you can get them some supervised free range, even putting a little playpen in a new location so they scratch scratch scratch! my girls dont really scratch at all in the run. Good luck with everything.

Thank you so much. She was my sweetest girl, very friendly and talky. I was devastated and so was my daughter. I hope I can turn it around in time for the others…

We are not allowed by law to let them free range at all but I’m thinking of making an outside pen for them with chicken wire that I can supervise.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. I had many chickens over 12 years. Only one ever died or had fatty liver hemorrhagic disease which I found during a necropsy. My chickens were always fed either 16% layer or 20% all flock feed. I always did necropsies on hens that died. So, I think that vet is mistaken on having you change the diet. Perhaps having them exercise outside more and not over feeding would be a better approach. Fatty liver disease can be hereditary or have a number of possible causes. Diet is one cause, and those diets are high in carbs, proteins, or fats, and chickens become obese. Hormones, exposure to aflatoxins (fungus,) and being confined may also lead to it. Here is some reading about fatty liver:
https://layinghens.hendrix-genetics.com/en/articles/fatty-liver-hemorrhagic-syndrome/

 

[Dynamissa]

Any opinions on whether or not to free feed or should I be controlling that somehow?

 

[WingItRanch]

Any opinions on whether or not to free feed or should I be controlling that somehow?

Personally I think free feeding isn't the issue. If it was my flock, I wouldn't change the feed but I would cut out the treats.

 

[Eggcessive]

I always free feed. But I would limit any scratch, meal worms, or other things they don’t need. They can have a little treat now and then. Some enjoy having a little water added to their feed. Once a week, just before daylight, try to handle them, and note if any are overweight or underweight. It is a good time to check their crops and note if there are any scaly leg mites, lice or mites on their bodies, etc.

 

[Dynamissa]

I always free feed. But I would limit any scratch, meal worms, or other things they don’t need. They can have a little treat now and then. Some enjoy having a little water added to their feed. Once a week, just before daylight, try to handle them, and note if any are overweight or underweight. It is a good time to check their crops and note if there are any scaly leg mites, lice or mites on their bodies, etc.

Do you use a scale or anything? If so, do you have a recommendation for one? I have one very flighty girl (the only one not laying yet) so she’s a bit of a nightmare to handle.
Which part of the keel are we feeling? The chest area or the undercarriage? Mine all feel
Sharp in the undercarriage… which is why I’m confused about the fatty liver.. but they are all layers, no meat birds.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Protein doesn't make fat in chickens.
Fat makes fat.

Excess calories from ANY source will make fat.

I’m hoping it was something genetic

Super sorry for your loss.

Poor genetics seems most likely.

I've also read that getting chilled during shipping is a major contributing factor to FLHS.

As others have stated.. I'd not reduce protein but would cut out the scratch.

I would continue to free feed (18-20% protein).. as bringing out food makes them treat it like treats and go crazy for it.. especially for confined birds.. you're asking for lots of behavioral issues otherwise IMO.

 

[Eggcessive]

A kitchen scale of good to use if you need to monitor a weight, especially in a sick bird who is not eating, but I don’t weigh my chickens regularly. I would just observe them and feel of their breast/keel bones. Some may develop a big poof over the tail, but here is a guide to checking the keel:
https://64.media.tumblr.com/2c3b1c5.../8e4ae9a755579e89d022d9743226138118db75d6.jpg

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another good article about weight management:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/chickens-obesity-silent-killer-how-to/

 

[Shadrach]

Chickens like other species have a propensity for certain diseases. Fatty Liver disease is rarely caused by the protein content of what they are fed.
However the type of fat in commercial feed and the processing it has undergone does have an impact.
As mentioned above having commercial feed available all the time and the chickens confined often leads to over eating; often out of boredom.
A change over to mealtime feeding can help prevent excessive weight gain. Leave the food down while they eat and when they stop, take the food away.
I wouldn't put much faith in the keel test. I don't think I've ever had a chicken that would pass the current keel test guidelines yet. On the slim side is good provided what's there is muscle.