Liver Health in Poultry
Fatty Liver Disease - Laying hens

Prevention tips for liver health every farmer should know

The liver is a vital organ in poultry, responsible for digestion, metabolism and detoxification.

Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) is a silent but serious condition that affects laying hens and can lead to sudden deaths and reduced egg production.

In this article, we’ll break it all down: what causes Fatty Liver Disease, what signs to look out for, and—most importantly—how to prevent it.

Laying hens outside

Causes of Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome

Liver disease in poultry can be caused by several factors, including infections, toxins and poor nutrition. Certain viral and bacterial diseases—such as Marek’s disease, avian hepatitis, and fowl cholera—can directly damage the liver.

Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome isn’t caused by a virus, bacterium, or parasite. It’s a metabolic condition. The liver of the hen stores too much fat, becoming fragile and prone to bleeding.

Consider one or a combination of the following causes:

  • Lack of exercise
  • Excess carbohydrates in the feed
  • Hormonal factors
  • Heat stress or poor ventilation

When the liver stores too much fat, it becomes enlarged, pale and prone to rupture, which can lead to internal bleeding.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome

Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome rarely shows early warning signs. Still, there are a few subtle clues:

Fatty liver symptoms poultry
  1. Pale comb and wattles
  2. Deep-set eyes
  3. Lethargy or reluctance to move
  4. Increase in body weight
  5. Slight drop in egg production

Prevention and control of Fatty Liver Disease

Provide balanced nutrition
1

Provide balanced nutrition

Formulate diets that meet the specific nutritional requirements of the flock. Avoid high-carb, low-fiber rations. Featured products
Support liver health
2

Support liver health

Livers need ongoing support—especially during peak production. That’s where MS Flexfeed Hepa comes in. This feed supplement helps prevent fat buildup and supports detoxification.Discover the product
Ventilation
3

Ventilation

Improve ventilation to reduce heat stress and allow birds to move around more when possible. View stable ventilation

Experts recommend

MS Flexfeed Hepa is a feed supplement for poultry that helps keep the liver working well. It contains choline, which supports the liver. Vitamins B1, B3, B5, and B12 help with metabolism and energy release. Betaine helps with normal processing of homocysteine. It is added to the drinking water using a dosing pump.
Contact MS Schippers
Call for personal advice +31-(0)497-339774 or send an email to export@msschippers.com

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