CHANGING EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ASCITES IN BROILER-CHICKENS

Ascites has become a major economic problem in modern broiler operatio ns world wide. Estimated losses to the global economy likely amount to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, however, accurate statistic s are not available. Epidemiological information on incidence of ascit es is scanty. The present work examines the condemnation records betwe en 1986 and 1994 from federally inspected slaughtering plants in Canad a. The analysis reveals that there has been a steady increase in ascit es condemnation during this period. National average figures showed a nearly sixfold increase in condemnations due to ascites from 1986 to 1 994. It is estimated that in Canada some 6-8 million chickens develope d ascites in 1994. The present data have shown an alarming trend in th e epidemiology of ascites.