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What are the methods to prevent acidosis in chickens during hot weather?

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In summer, when temperatures are high, leftover feed that sits overnight or feed that becomes damp or heated is very prone to spoilage and turning sour. Once chickens eat it, it irritates the walls of the crop and causes inflammation. If the leftover feed produces too much acid during the spoilage process, the acid passes through the crop wall and intestinal wall into the bloodstream, causing acidosis in the chickens. After acidosis occurs, chickens generally show a purplish comb, standing apart and listless, drooping wings, ruffled feathers, a sharp drop in feed intake, and even refusal to eat. When the crop is pressed by hand, some are empty and some are filled with fluid; if the chicken is held upside down, a foamy, sour-smelling fluid drips from its mouth, and severely affected

In summer, when temperatures are high, leftover feed that sits overnight or feed that becomes damp or heated is very prone to spoilage and turning sour. Once chickens eat it, it irritates the walls of the crop and causes inflammation. If the leftover feed produces too much acid during the spoilage process, the acid passes through the crop wall and intestinal wall into the bloodstream, causing acidosis in the chickens.

After acidosis occurs, chickens generally show a purplish comb, standing apart and listless, drooping wings, ruffled feathers, a sharp drop in feed intake, and even refusal to eat. When the crop is pressed by hand, some are empty and some are filled with fluid; if the chicken is held upside down, a foamy, sour-smelling fluid drips from its mouth, and severely affected chickens may also become comatose or die.

Prevention

1. Do not mix or purchase too much feed at one time; the feed storage room should be kept dry, ventilated and cool to prevent the feed from becoming moldy. 2. Farmers who habitually feed chickens wet mash should preferably switch to dry powder feed, and can place clean water beside the trough for the chickens to drink freely. 3. Do not feed chickens heated or fermented feed; the principle should be to feed small amounts frequently and not leave leftover feed overnight, and the feeding utensils should be scrubbed frequently to keep them clean.

Treatment

Once chickens develop acidosis, stop feeding the heated and spoiled feed immediately, and then treat them promptly according to the severity of the poisoning. For chickens with mild acidosis, prepare a 2% baking soda solution and let them drink it freely; for chickens with more severe acidosis, administer baking soda powder twice a day, 5 grams each time; for chickens with severe acidosis, perform a minor operation, cut open the crop to remove the contents, then rinse with 2% baking soda solution 2-3 times, and after suturing, feed a small amount of glucose powder 6-12 hours later.

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