Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky
Poultry can suffer from a number of diseases and conditions related to metabolism.
- Sudden death syndrome (SDS), also known as flip-over disease, is characterized by the sudden death of birds that show no clinical signs of illness. SDS is believed to be a metabolic disease related to high carbohydrate intake.
- Ascites, also known as”‘water belly,” is a disease in which fluid accumulates in a bird’s abdominal cavity.
- Green muscle disease, also called deep pectoral myopathy, is a degenerative muscle disease that affects the breast tenderloin (minor pectoral muscle) deep within the breast.