Waterbelly in broiler chicks

[MaryKiss]

Hi,
I think my 3 week old freedom ranger color yield broilers have Waterbelly. Swollen area under bum, a bit of panting/heavy breathing. They are eating and pooping fine. Is there anything I can do for them? I fear they are uncomfortable. From my research there isn’t a cure. I’m waiting to hear back from the vet but thought I’d check here as well. Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is it only one chick?

Do you have photos - brooder set up, chicks, swelling, abdomen, poop?

A video of actions may be helpful as well, upload video to youtube and provide a link.

How warm is your brooder - on the cold side and on the warm side?

 

[MaryKiss]

Unfortunately it’s many of my 48 broilers. My brooder is on the warmer side. I think my issue was ventilation, we’ve had a cold spring and I had the brooder too closed up trying to provide a cozy environment. I am not sure I can get a video up in the next day but will don’t as soon as I can. I fear I need to put them out of their misery, not sure they’ll be comfortable for another 4/5 weeks. They have decent energy but I can see they are breathing heavily when resting. I am fairly confident it’s Waterbelly, just not sure if it’s at a point to merit culling them and/or how imminent that is.
From what I’ve read I can restrict feed a little bit and possibly drain the fluid. I would be curious how long the benefit of draining fluid might last. As there are so many of them, it’s not a simple task.

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t know a lot about waterbelly (ascites) in broiler chicks, but it can be a sign of right sided heart failure. At what age are you planning on processing them for meat? Make sure they have good ventliation, and here is some info to read:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/ascites

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...itions-of-poultry/ascites-syndrome-in-poultry

 

[MaryKiss]

I don’t know a lot about waterbelly (ascites) in broiler chicks, but it can be a sign of right sided heart failure. At what age are you planning on processing them for meat? Make sure they have good ventliation, and here is some info to read:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/ascites

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...itions-of-poultry/ascites-syndrome-in-poultry

Here are the chicks

I talked to the two local vets that treat chickens. It’s out of their scope. I am having a hard time seeing them make it comfortably another 4.5 weeks. Looking for advice on gauging their comfort level/quality of life. Thank you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've never raised meat birds, but to me, I don't really see anything that concerning. Are the abdomens purple, irritated, etc.?
They look reasonably well, eating/drinking, movements look good.
Maybe I'm missing it, but I don't see lethargy or discomfort.
There are 2 abdominal air sacs (along with 7 others throughout the body). I do see the "pulsing" but to me it looks fairly normal, no one is really panting/in respiratory distress.

Just my 2¢

@NatJ @Poultrybonkers @Ridgerunner or @U_Stormcrow may have some thoughts?

 

[MaryKiss]

I've never raised meat birds, but to me, I don't really see anything that concerning. Are the abdomens purple, irritated, etc.?
They look reasonably well, eating/drinking, movements look good.
Maybe I'm missing it, but I don't see lethargy or discomfort.
There are 2 abdominal air sacs (along with 7 others throughout the body). I do see the "pulsing" but to me it looks fairly normal, no one is really panting/in respiratory distress.

Just my 2¢

@NatJ @Poultrybonkers @Ridgerunner or @U_Stormcrow may have some thoughts?

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I am going to keep observing. I really thought we were at the point of needing to cull them all today, it seemed they were so inactive. Something I read said at any given point 1/3 should be eating 1/3 resting and 1/3 drinking. I had lots of resting, side laying and wings fanned out today. Come evening I did have a few birds venture out and much more activity, I’m thinking maybe it was just too hot during midday.
It could be that I’m just unfamiliar with their body type, I have 8 layers 2 months old and they were so much smaller and more active. I’m hoping once these birds get used to the idea of going out of the coop/brooder they will spend more time outside. Also thought I could restrict feed at night, to try to keep them from over eating. I was worried restricting feed would cause some to go hungry, but I think as long as there is enough space at the feeder that shouldn’t be an issue. I will report back. Thanks again!

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Meat birds always have a droopy butt look like all their innerds are so heavy they wanna fall out, your chicks look fine for the breed

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Temperatures would be nice / where the heck are you?

Honestly, I've not had meaties since my first flock, and didn't know enough then to have a useful memory of them. I do know that my Cx (I didn't have color broilers) were always either eating, drinking, or pooping. If they weren't doing those things, unless it was early in the morning or late in the evening, they were laying in the dirt and sand and shavings trying to stay cool. Daytime temps were 80s, low 90s, humditity was always 70%+.

Part of why I've never bought more meaties and learned to accept more egg-tending "dual purpose" birds.

Sorry I couldn't add more, very best to you and your flock.

 

[MaryKiss]

We are in PNW. We had a frost two nights ago…birds seem to be faring the cold well with the more ventilated set up thankfully. Yesterday at 70 was an off day, we’re back to 50s and nights in 30s today.
I’ve tried to watch a bunch of videos about broilers at this age. It does seem that my concerns with the swelling are part of their body type. I can see myself switching to dual purpose breeds after this! Now my husband is picking on my because I was at the point of planning how we were going to cull yesterday (also my birthday) which made for an emotional day.
I will stay in touch with updates. Thanks all!