Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of ascites in broiler chickens

1. This work examined the effect of using three different feeding regimens in the prophylaxis and treatment of ascites in fastgrowing broilers stressed by exposure to cold (less than 10 degrees C), itself a potent inducer of ascites. 2. Broilers were exposed to cold in tiered cages in a semi-open poultry shed from the age of 24, 29 or 34 d and from day 35 they were given one of three types of food (pellets, pellets with high energy content, mash). Total mortality and mortality with ascites were recorded and erythrocyte packed cell volume (PCV) and relative weight of the right ventricle were measured (both reliable indices of ascites development). 3. Despite relatively low ambient temperatures and consequent high mortality from ascites, the mash diet was effective both in preventing ascites (prophylaxis) and in treating existing ascites.