Farm Animal Welfare

Chicken Liver Disease and Broiler Welfare

Hepatic lipidosis and inclusion body hepatitis affect broiler and laying hen welfare, with nutritional and biosecurity management being key prevention strategies.

Key Facts

Hepatic lipidosis affects laying hens in high-production environments
Inclusion body hepatitis caused by fowl adenovirus is a major cause of broiler mortality
Vitamin E and selenium supplementation reduces oxidative liver stress
Genetic selection for high production rates increases metabolic disease susceptibility
Biosecurity programmes prevent adenovirus introduction into susceptible flocks

Welfare Considerations

Liver disease in poultry causes significant welfare impact through debilitation, reduced food intake and death. The metabolic demands of high egg or meat production increase vulnerability. Nutritional optimisation and biosecurity are the most effective welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Support certified poultry farms with documented disease monitoring programmes
Advocate for breed welfare standards that include metabolic disease assessment
Choose lower-intensity production certified products when available