Introduction

A metabolic disease of chickens, especially broiler parents. Predisposing factors include heat stress with reduced feed intake and panting.

Signs

• Paralysis.
• Death from respiratory and cardiac failure.

Post-mortem lesions

• Cyanosis.
• Congested lungs.
• Active ovary with egg in oviduct.

Diagnosis

This is made on signs, lesions, lack of other significant lesions, and response to treatment. Differentiate from IB 793b, other acute infections and other causes of sudden death.

Treatment

Provide 5 gm of oyster shell per hen on 3 successive days along with vitamin D in drinking water.

Prevention

Keep pullet flocks on low calcium diet until 5% production hen/day, managing birds for maximum uniformity.