Clinical Evaluation, Internal Viscera and Carcass Characteristics of Slow and Rapid growth Broiler Lines in Terms of Creating an Experimental Ascites

Ascites is a metabolic disorder that accounts for over 25% of overall mortality in the broiler industry. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ascites induction on the clinical pictures, mortalities, growth performance, carcass yield and internal organs characteristics of two different Lines of broilers. One hundred Line broiler chicks were selected from two Lines (Line A & B) that differed in feed conversion ratio and growth rate. These included an high growth rate-low feed convertion ratio (Line A), an ascites-resistant line (Line B). To increase the incidence of ascites, chicks of two group were fed ad libitum with a higher condensed diet and reared under a lower ambient temperature. Ascites incidence was clearly higher in Line A chickens. The mean values of carbon dioxide tension of line A chickens were significantly higher than line B chickens at 12 days of age. weights of liver and breast muscles and length of jejunum and ileum of line A were significantly greater than Line A chickens.