The Silent Killer in Your Coop: Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome and Obesity in Laying Hens

Do These Hens Look Obese? Exactly!

Backyard chickens bring endless rewards- from satisfaction of collecting fresh eggs to the joy of watching their unique personalities unfold. But just like any animal in our care, hens face certain health challenges that aren't always obvious until it's too late. One condition that can have devasting consequences is Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS).

Often sudden and unexpected, FLHS can strike even seemingly healthy hens, leaving owners confused and heartbroken. Understanding the causes, risk factors and signs is key to prevention and keeping your flock thriving.

Understanding Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome

Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome is a metabolic disorder in laying hens where excess fat accumulates in the liver. Over time, this fat buildup weakens the liver and makes it fragile. In severe cases, the liver can rupture, leading to sudden internal bleeding and death. This accumulation can result in liver dysfunction, hemorrhage, and ultimately, death if not addressed promptly.

Understanding Obesity in Laying Hens

Because outward signs are often subtle- or nonexistent- many flock owners only discover the condition after losing a bird unexpectedly.

Obesity in hens isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it directly affects their health, productivity, and overall well-being. Overweight hens are at greater risk for a variety of health problems including fatty liver syndrome, reduced egg production, and reproductive issues. The primary culprits of obesity in backyard flocks often include feeding treats and extras, even healthy extras, limited space to roam, and lack of appropriate exercise.

Risk factors associated with fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome include female sex, high energy diets and restricted exercise.

Identifying the Signs of Obesity

• Appearance: You cannot determine if your laying hens are obese simply by observing them or touching their keel bone. The initial area where they gather fat is around their liver. This condition is known as Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome and is a significant cause of mortality in backyard chickens.

  
  

• Behavior: Some hens might exhibit signs such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or fragile eggshells prior to death.

  Typically, a sick chicken will cease egg-laying entirely just before dying, as an unhealthy chicken can not lay eggs as egg production is linked to health.

  
  

• Egg Production: A sudden decline in egg production or quality could also be a warning sign that your hens are struggling with obesity. Obesity is also linked to health issues like prolapsed vent.

  
  

• Death: Birds with FLHS are usually found dead without any visible signs. Birds are found dead with pale comb and wattles (due to blood loss).

Unfortunately, FLHS is often called a "silent killer" because hens may look perfectly normal until the condition reaches a crisis point.

Since these symptoms are not specific, prevention is your strongest defense.

Protecting Your Flock

While FLHS can be fatal, the good news is that it's preventable with proper management. Steps to reduce risk include:

Overindulging

1. Nutritional Imbalance

It's tempting to give hens extra treats and food, particularly when you see them begging for it. However, excessive feeding, especially of high-calorie treats and processed feeds, can rapidly lead to fat accumulation in the liver. Hens require a balanced diet with specific protein, fat, and carbohydrate ratios tailored to their energy needs. That perfect balance is their nutritionally complete chicken feed with only offering 10% of treats and extras to their daily diet or better yet, none at all.

Think of it like feeding an athlete candy instead of a well-planned training diet-it simply won't support performance or long term health. Egg laying is ovulation, laying hens ovulate 4-6 times a week. That is very nutrient demanding, so feeding them correctly matters.

Moderation with Extras

2. Schedule Treats Wisely

Treats should account for no more than 10% of your hens' daily dietary intake. Steer clear of high-fat snacks.

The problem with the 10% rule is that you cannot ensure each chicken receives its 10% share due to the "pecking order." Chickens higher in the pecking order will get more than their 10% daily treat, while those lower in the hierarchy will receive much less. Interestingly, the chickens lower in the pecking order tend to be healthier because the proper balanced nutrition they would receive from their chicken feed isn't diluted with other foods.

Chickens don't require variety in their diet because they possess only 250 taste buds, compared to our 9,000. They swallow their food whole and don't chew it since they lack teeth.

3. Encourage Activity

Provide space, enrichment (Refer to my blog on Winter Enrichment Activities) and opportunities for foraging.

Backyard chickens thrive when they have ample space to roam, forage, and engage in natural behaviors. Limited space restricts their movement, which can contribute significantly to weight gain. Ensuring that your flock has an area to run and peck is essential for their fitness and health.

Engage with Enrichment

Incorporate enrichment activities into their surroundings. Create small holes in an empty Gatorade bottle and fill it with chicken feed. The chickens will push the bottle around to release the feed, a game we refer to as chicken soccer. Adding various levels of roosts, an old chair with the seat removed, or wooden stumps at different heights can promote physical activity and stimulate curiosity and exploration.

4. Cool Environment

Provide shade, circulation in coop (as many open windows as possible) and cold fresh water in clean containers, adding frozen water bottles to keep the water cold is beneficial.

Lack of Veterinarians

We don't have veterinarians for our backyard chickens like we do for our dogs and cats. If our dog or cat gains weight, a vet can help us adjust their diet, perhaps by putting them on a special regimen.

For laying hens, once excessive fat accumulates around their liver, it's nearly impossible to reverse or correct.

This is why it's crucial to educate ourselves about hen health if they are your pets and you wish for them to live long lives.

Final Thoughts

Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome is a serious metabolic disorder that can devastate a flock without warning. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and management strategies associated with FLHS, you can take proactive steps to protect their flocks. Implementing balanced nutrition, effective environmental management, and regular health monitoring can significantly reduce the incidence of this syndrome.

As the poultry industry continues to evolve, staying informed about metabolic disorders like FLHS is essential for ensuring the health and productivity of laying hens. By focusing on balanced nutrition, active lifestyles and mindful management, backyard flock owners

can safeguard their birds against this hidden danger.