What exactly is sudden death syndrome in laying hens?
Sudden death syndrome in laying hens
Sudden death syndrome in laying hens, also known as laying fatigue syndrome or new-layer syndrome, is mainly characterized by sudden death or paralysis at night in caged laying hens. The causes of the disease are complex, and high summer temperatures, oxygen deficiency and poor ventilation are among the important causes.
Clinical diagnosis: In acute cases, death often occurs suddenly, with the highest mortality in newly laying flocks when the laying rate is 20 to 60%. In flocks that appear healthy and have good laying performance, no sick hens can be picked out during the day, but dead laying hens can be seen the next morning, and the higher the laying rate, the higher the mortality rate. In dead hens, protrusion of the cloaca is often seen;
In chronic cases, sick hens show paralysis, cannot stand, and sit squatting on their hock joints.
Clinical diagnosis: In acute cases, death often occurs suddenly, with the highest mortality in newly laying flocks when the laying rate is 20 to 60%. In flocks that appear healthy and have good laying performance, no sick hens can be picked out during the day, but dead laying hens can be seen the next morning, and the higher the laying rate, the higher the mortality rate. In dead hens, protrusion of the cloaca is often seen;
In chronic cases, sick hens show paralysis, cannot stand, and sit squatting on their hock joints.