The effects of poor ventilation, low temperatures, type of feed and sex of bird on the development of ascites in broilers. physiopathological factors.

The effects of type of feed, ambient temperature and ventilation were investigated on a fast-growing strain of broiler under conditions conducive to the induction of the ascites syndrome. Parameters used to monitor the syndrome were the erythrocyte packed cell volume (PCV), and the ascites heart index (AHI) which is a measure of the hypertrophy of the right ventricle; both these parameters are elevated in birds suffering from the syndrome. It was found that ventilation had no role in the syndrome. Sex of the bird was not correlated with PCV or AHI values. Low ambient temperatures caused rapid and significant rises in PCV, and some rise in the AHI. Pelleted feed, in comparison with the same feed in mash form, was shown to cause significant elevations in the AHI, but little change in the PCV. Suitable husbandry can therefore, minimize physiopathological changes in the chickens which may later progress to a fatal ascites.