Control of Ascites Syndrome By Feed Restriction Techniques

CONTROL OF ASCITES SYNDROME BY FEEDRESTRICTION TECHNIQUES

Primary Audience: Veterinarians, Nutritionists, Broiler Producers, Field Service Personnel. Broiler Growers

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DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM Ascites syndrome (AS) in broilers has become increasingly prevalent in many parts of the world. Originally observed in broiler flocks maintained at 1500 meters (4920 ft) above sea level or greater, the syndrome is now common at lower altitudes during cooler months of the year. The term "ascites" refers to abnormal 1 To whom correspondence should be addressed

accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, and can be caused by a number factors including feed fats containing toxins [l], Crotalanaspectabilis [2], and excess salt in the feed [3]. "Ascites syndrome'' denotes a set of symptoms (including ascites, hydropericardium, and gross enlargement of the right ventricle). These

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JOSE ARCE Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones,Forestalesy Agropecuanas, Avenida Acueducto 1750, Morelia, Michocan, Mm'co MIGUEL BERGER La Luz 38, Cuemavaca, Mor. 62450, Mexico CARLOS LOPEZ COELLO~ Departmento de Produccion Animal: Aves, FMVZ, UNAM, Men'co, D.F., Mexico

ASCITES IN BROILERS

2

symptoms are believed to be derived from a general hypoxia [4] due to high altitude, rapid growth, cool temperatures, poor ventilation, and/or any other factors which may hinder respiratory efficiency. The etiology of As has been reviewed by Lopez Coello [5,6] and by Wideman [7]. It is not clear where the use of restricted

TABLE 1. Composition of typical diets used in Experiments 1-3

soybean Meal (4s) Fish Meal

Vegetable Oil

I

30.00

24.00

4.00

3.00

3.00

I

3.7s

I

feed conversion

and (2) com are several feed restriction programs as to t eir ability to reduce ascites with minimal impact on performance.

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PRESENT RESEARCH F o u r experiments were conducted to evaluate several feed restriction programs for their ability to reduce AS without severely compromising weight gain. These studies were carried out in regions of Mexico, where AS is endemic. Experiments 1through 3 were conducted in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico (1940 meters, 6363 ft). Experiment 4 was conducted in Villa del Carbon, Mexico State, Mexico, at a higher elevation (2500 meters, 8200 ft . At the latter facility, due to its increased a titude, ascites was much more prevalent. A study at this facility allowed for comparison of the conclusions of Experiments 1through 3, under more rigid conditions. Feed: Commercial broiler diets obtained from poult firms in central Mexico were employed in al studies. Within each experiment, all treatment groups received sublots of the same feed. Composition and nutrient profile ical mix are presented in Table 1. O f a ~rdr: P Mixed sex broilers of common commercial strains were em loyed in all e ments. These were ol? tained from oca1 hatcheries in central Mexico. Housin facilities: Experiments 1through 3 were con ucted in a curtain-sided floor pen unit. Each pen measured 3.5 m x 3.5 m and was equipped with two manual hanging feeders

1

7

xperi-

Cf

Metabolizable Energy (Kcal/Kg) (Kcal/Lb) Lysine (%)

1.25

1.00

Methionine (%)

.48

.38

+ Cys(%)

.88

.71

Met

Calcium (%)

1.10

1.00

Av. Phosphorus (%)

SO

.so

Sodium (%)

.I8

.18

*See footnote #11 for composition

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and one bell-t e waterer. A similar facility was employed% Experiment 4. Sorghum straw was employed as the litter material. Chicks were brooded with open flame gas brooders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS I n all e eriments, chicks were received at one-day o age from a common commercial source and brooded according to standard management practices. Birds that died during each experiment were necropsied to determine presence of A.S. lesions. Body weight gain, and incidence of ascites were determined in all studies.

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in Mexico was shown fectively by initiating early age. Obvious disadvantages of feed restriction

Research Report ARCE et ai.

3

2,3, or 4) of restriction. In Experiments2 and 3, birds were reared until 51and 56 days of age, respectively. A considerably higher incidence of AS was observed in Experiment 2 than in Experiment 3 (Table 3). Such varying results are common in areas afflicted wth AS, presumably due to the multiplicity of factors whch interact to roduce the syndrome. In both studies, the hig est incidence of AS was noted in the fullfed controls (37% and 10% in Experiments 2 and 3, respectively). In Experiment 2, each restriction program proved effective in significantly reducing the incidence of AS. In Experiment 3, significant reduction in AS was noted for treatment 2 only. In general it appeared that feed restriction during the starting period was successful in reducing subsequent incidence of AS. No significant differences in body weight gain were observed due to the restriction proms. A tendency was noted toward hi her E d y weights in those treatments in whicf restriction was imposed earlier. This appears reasonable, as more time was available after the feed restriction period had ended for the birds to recoup weight losses. In both experiments, birds in treatment 2 attained virtually the same body weight as full-fed controls.

EXPERIMENT 1 The pur ose of this experiment was to determine if eed restriction could reduce the incidence of AS in broiler chicks. Three experimental treatments were used: (1)constant access to feed from da of age untd termination of the experiment at 23 days, (2) ei t hours of access to feed per day from 1to 3 da s, and {3) 1 0 7o less feed than that consumed y fulled controls (Treatment 1). Three replicates of 100 chicks were assigned to each treatment in a random fashion. Data presented in Table 2 confirm that feed restriction si Xcantly reduced the incidence of ascites. &teen percent AS was observed for the control treatment versus 0% and 4% for treatments 2 and 3 res ectively. However, feed restriction reduce$ performance significantly. Statistical analyses [9] revealed significant differences in body weights of birds in treatment 1and those in treatments 2 and 3 (Table 2 . Reduction in the incidence of AS and in bo y weight of birds in treatment 3 was intermediate between those of treatments 1and 2. While these results indicate that treatment 3 may be economically favorable, depending on local conditions, it was evident that additional studies were necessary to find means of reducin ascites without severely affecting body weig t gain.

F

%

7l

a

EXPERIMENT 4 A fourth experiment was conducted to test the observations of Experiments 2 and 3 under more rigid conditions. Ascites syndrome is extremely prevalent in the very high altitude (2500 m, 8200 ft) Villa del Carbon area. It was anticipated that a more severe restriction might be necessary to control AS under these conditions. W o additional restriction treatments were incorporated in Experiment 4 (treatments 1 through 4 were the same as described for Experiments2 and 3): a skip-a-day ro ram with birds fasted on da s 15, 17,19, !1,82,25, and 27 (weeks 3 and 45, and an 8 hour per day program, with feed provided to the birds on1 from 700 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. from 8 until 56 ays of age. The latter treatment had been employed wth some success by commercial poult producers in the region, and had been teste previously by Ber-

EXPERIMENTS 2 AND 3 The objective of Experiments2 and 3 was to reduce AS and minimize the severe weight depression seen in birds in Experiment 1.Feed restriction during the starting period was examined. In E eriment 2, each treatment was assigned 3 rep icates of 50 birds each, while in Experiment 3, each was assigned 4 replicates of 100 birds. The treatments in both studies consisted oE (1) constant access to feed from day of a e untll termination of the experiment (full-feI f controls), (2) ski -a-day pro ram 9, 11, an 13, with birds fasted on days 3) ski -a-da program with birds fasted on 6ays12 17,l ,and 21, (4) skip-a-day rogram with birds fasted on days 22,24,26, an 28. The purpose of these studies was to test the effect of early feed restriction on subsequentperformance, and compare different periods (week

7

7,

J

#1-Full-fed controls

#>lo%

less than #1

B

B

TREATMENT

I #2-8 hrs feed/day

8

I

7

WEIGHT (grarnsbird)

FEED/GAIN

MORTALITY (from AS)

19Ba -C 88

2.32 f .11

lsa f s

1629b 2 158 175Yb2 125

I

2.36 f .16 2.24 f .07

I

I

Ob

4b 2 2

I

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d

JAPR ASCITES IN BROILERS

4

EXPERIMENT 3

EXPERIMENT 2 TREATMENT

WEIGHT (grams)

#1-Full-fed Controls

2146 f 44

2.02 f .04

3923

2311 f 123

2.24 k .06

lob f3

#ZSkip-a-day (7-13 days)

2143 f 39

2.09 f .I1

15a f 5

2281 f 157

2.41 k .12

3af 1

#3- Skip-aday (15-21 days)

2034 f 32

2.09 f .03

17a f 5

2352 f 103

2.37 k .17

gabf 2

#Mkip-aday (22-28 days)

2058 f 91

2.20 f .12

Ba & 1

2198 f 156

2.31 f .13

8b f 3

6

RESULTSAND DrscussroN In all experim+.,.feed restriction techniques were effective in reducing the incidence of AS in broilers. thus confirming:earlier field observations [SI.Berger and co-workers

[lo] have also reported success in reducing ascites b limiting the number hours of access to feed. urther, it was noted that if skip-a-day pro ams are instituted during the startin periof negative effects on subsequent %ody weight gain are minimal. Results of Experiment 4 show that a variety of feed restriction techniques may be effective in controlling AS. An especially stressful period in the life of a broiler is during the first several weeks. Muscle and bone growth (Le., somatic grpwth), expressed as a percentage of bodyaweight,is greatest during this time. Feed restrictionmay slow somatic growth, allowng it to remain in phase with the functional growth of organs in the cardiopulmonaryand renal systems. In addition, slower growing buds have reduced oxygen needs. By slowing rate of gain during the starting period, the cardiopulmonarysystems of the birds may not be taxed as severely as they might be by slowing the rate of gain during the finishing period. Enlargement of the right ventricle, and subsequent physiological abnormalities resulting from this defect, are thus avoided. Birds may be able to enter the rower and finisher periods with stronger - carfiopulmonary systcms.

8

cf

s

FEED/GAIN MORTALITY (from AS)

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TABLE 4. Effect of feed restriction on weight gain and mortality from Ascites Syndrome (means standard deviation) (Experiment 4)

f

WEIGHT (grams)

FEED/GAIN

MORTALITY (from AS)

2 4 2 7 f 65

2.02 f .07

28' & 5

#2-!jkip-a-day (7-13 days)

2312 f 55

2.06 f .lo

lzab& 3

#3- Skip-a-day (15-21 days)

2 3 2 3 f 89

2.04 f .11

20bCf 6

#Mkip-a-day (22-28 days)

2340 f loo

2.02 f .08

17bCf 5

#=kip-aday

2282 f 96

2.03 f .I3

gab 2 2

2337 f 130

2.02 f .09

7ab& 2

TREATMENT #1-Full-fed controls

(15-27 days)

#&Access to feed 7AM3PM (Days 8-56)

I'b*cMeanswithout common superscripts differ significantly (P1.05)

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er and co-workers %irdswere reared to the six treatments with 50 chicks er replicate en. Significant y lower inci ences of AS were noted in treatments 2, 5, and 6 (Table 4). Of particular interest was the practice used b commercial poultry producers (treatment 6'; which reduced AS as effectively as the skip-aday treatments. Under the cqnditions of this experiment, treatments 2 skip-a-day during week two), 5 (ski -a-day urin week four), and the "8 hours/ ay program"$treatment 6) proved most effective in reducin AS. Body weights were not rec fuced significantly by the various restriction programs. When considering the marked decrease in mortality from AS, these trFatments seem attractive from an economicwew.

P

WEIGHT (grams)

FEED/GAIN MORTALlTY (from AS)

Research Report 5

ARCE et ul.

7l

ity is not maintained, subclinical coccidiosis may result from litter pecking on fasting days. Adequate feeder space and rapid feed distribution are important to prevent "piling up" when birds are re-fed after a period of restriction. While it may seem a simple matter to provide feed for a certain number of hours per da in practice many growers cannot successful$ accomplish this. A frequent error is that too severe a restriction is imposed, resultin6 in an unacceptable depression in body weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS 1. The incidence.of ascites syndrome can be reduced significantly by the imposition of feed restriction during the startin period. 2. Final body weight gains are requently, but not always, reduced slightly by feed restriction during the starter period. 3. Under the conditions of these studies, the modest wei t reduction of birds in some treatments appears to be an acceptable trade-off for the C ecrease P in incidence of AS. 4. Feed restriction can be an invaluable tool in the control of AS. The techxuques used in the studies presented here should be used in conjunction with management practices which m i n i i e respiratory stress.

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REFERENCES AND NOTES 1. Allen, RJ., 1964. The role of "toxic fat" in the production of hydro ricardium and ascites in chickens. Am. J. Vet. Res. 25:g10-1218. 2. Thomas, EF., 1934.The toxici of certains cies of crotalaria seed for the chicken, u a x turkey a n g o v e . J. Am. Vet. Med. h o c . 85:617-62%. 3. Gordon, RS., RA. Mulholland, W.MackIin, and K H. Maddy, 1959. H dropericardium and ascites caused b excess salt and a {actor in blood meal. Poultry k i . %I&. 4. Hernandez, A, 1987. Hypoxic ascites in broilers: a review of several studies done in Colombia. Avian Diseases 31:658661. 5. Lopez Coello, C., 1985. Reco ilacion biblio s o b r e el s i n d r o m e ascitico. pro,. 11th Latinoamericano de Avicultura, Acapulco, Mexico. pp.

754-754. 6. Lopez Coello, C., J. de J. Gornez Sanchez, and A. Marin Ximenew 1990. Mecanismos de respuesta del sistema res iratorio su nor a 10s a entes ambientales. Proc. of IPMesa R e g n d a Sobre 8indrome Ascitico, ANECA, Mexico City. pp. 7-93. 7. Widernan, RF., 1988.Ascites in poultry. Nutrition Updates 6:2, Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO.

8. Rubio, M. .,and C. Lopez Coello, 1986. Efecto de una restriccion alimenticia sobre la incidencia del sindrome ascitico. Proc. Western. Poult. Dis. Conf., Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

9. Data from the four experiments were analyzed for statistical significancewith the analysis of variance. Treatment means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test. 10. Berger, M., E Cortes, and F. Caslellanos, 1990. Control del sindrome ascitico en pollo de engorda por medio de la restriccion en el tiempo de acceso diario a1 alimento. Proc. XV Convencion of ANECA, Cancun, Mexlco. pp. 2541. 11. Vitamin/mineral premix r v i d e d (per kg of diethvitamin A, 8500 IU; vitamin 3,15 1U; vitamin E, 15 I ; choline, 900 mg; menadine S.B., 2.5 mg; thiamine mononitrate, 1mg; riboflavin, 6m niacin, 40 m D-calcium pantothenate, 10 m ; pyri&xine HCL, 1%0 mg; folic acid, 5 mg; biotin, .Ofm vitamin BIZ .01 mg; Mn, 90 mg; Zn, 80 mg; Fe, 50 mg; &, 7 mg; I, 15mg; and Se, .2mg. 12. The valuable assistance of Francisco Castellanos and Ernest0 Avila is gratefully acknowledged.

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It is emphasized that feed restriction alone cannot be considered a comp!ete preventative for AS; mamtenance of satisfacto and temperature are also criticz air qudf?e ort should be made to mi-nimize reEvery spiratory disease and vacciqe reactions. Once optimal management practices have been msured, restricted feedm can be highly effective in further reducing t e incidence of AS in commercial broiler flocks. The authors caution that restricted feeding programs are unlikely to succeed without good management. For example, d htter qual-