D2-Lancastw Farming Saturday, January 19,1991
David Kradel Herbert
Penn State
Poultry
Pointers I
Herbert Siegel Donald Singletary Morris Mi
ASCITES IN
MEAT-TYPE
POULTRY
H. S. Siegel
Professor of
Poultry Science
Ascites (pronouned as-cite-ees),
commonly known as “water bel
ly,” is a condition in which the
abdominal area of the bird
becomes filled with a clear or
sometimes straw-colored liquid
that may lead to the death or the
condemnation of the carcass.
Although the incidence of
ascites is greatly increased in the
high altitude regions of the world,
the condition is also becoming an
increasing problem at lower
altitudes.
A number of situations seem to
influence the appearance of the
condition: 1) Low oxygen tension
(as occurs in high altitude); 2)
poorly ventilaied environment (as
may occur in winter when win
dows or curtains are closed or
restricted): 3) respiratory diseases;
4) rapid growth rates; 5) high ener
gy rations; 6) toxins; and 7) some
feed additives.
As can be seen from the above
list, situations that physiologically
create either an oxygen deficit or a
ordan Milton Madison
demand for more oxygen seem to
increase the possibility of ascites.
This increased metabolic demand
for oxygen exceeds the bird’s car
diopulmonary (heart, blood vessel,
and lung) capacity and the ascites
syndrome can be triggered.
Research at Penn State by Drs.
Robert Wideman, Robert Owen,
and their colleagues using a hypo
baric chamber that mimics the high
altitude situation is studying the
factors involved in ascites.
The researchers have been able
to predict, in many cases, which
birds are most susceptible to the
condition by finding abnormal
electrocardiograms (EKGs) in
very young chicks long before the
condition occurs. Interestingly, a
GETTYSBURG (Adams Co.)
1990-1991 membership in the
Adams County Farmers Associa
tion (AGFA) is at an all-time high
for this time of the year, according
to John Hess, former AGFA presi
dent and current membership
chairman.
As of the beginning of the year,
the association had 756 paying
members. The AGFA is an affili
ate of the Pennsylvania Farmers’
Association (PFA), established in
parallel condition called sudden
death syndrome in turkeys
which is characterized by a round,
flabby heart may also be pre
dicted by EKG measurement.
Further descriptions of the
ascites condition in chickens can
be found in the following scientific
journals: “Zootecnica Internation
al,” Vol. 11. pp. 58-62,1988, R. J.
Julian; “Avian Diseases,” Vol. 34,
pp. 754-758, 1990, R. L. Owen et
al.; “Monsanto Nutritional
Update,” Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 1-7,
1988, R. F. Wideman; and “Poul
try Science,” Vol. 69, pp. 741-745,
1990, D. A. Witzel et al.
LAND PRIDE
Reseeding, Interseeding, and Overseeding With
Accuracy And Durability.• .Only From Land Pride
equipment from Land Pride
GROOMING MOWER
[PENNSYLVANIA
Straley Farm Supply, Inc.
1760 East Canal Road
Dover, PA 17315
717-292-2631
Kallar Brothara
R 7 Sox 405
Lebanon, PA 17042
717-946-6501
1950 Frultvllle Pike
Lancaster, PA
717-569-2345
Marahall Machinery, Inc.
Rt 654
Honatdale, PA 16431
717-729-7117
Wm. Hobenaack'a A Sons
1060 Qraelay Avenue
Ivyland, PA 18874
219-675-1(10
Farmers’ Association Membership
ROTARY TILLER
Pikevllle Equipment Inc.
RD 2, Oyslardala Road
Oley, PA 15547
215-967-6277
Tractor Parte Co.
335 Central Road
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
717-7(4-0250
Swelgard Bros,, Inc.
RD #3, Sox 13
Halifax, PA 17032
717-696-3414
SlouHar Broa. Inc.
1066 Lincoln Way West
Chamberaburg, PA 17201
717-2(34424
Slolbtfua Farm Service
Cochranvlle, PA
717-163-2407
Triple H Equipment
2368 Robert FuHon Hwy
Peach Bottom, PA 17563
717>(46>3775
M.9.Yearaley 6 Sena
Waal Cheater, PA
216-666-26(0
Hits Peak
1950. PFA represents agricultural
interests in Harrisburg, Washing
ton D.C., and at the county level,
with the support of more than
23,000 families.
“The PFA and the national
organization to which it belongs
the American Farm Bureau
Federation enables its members
to shape events beyond the fence
line,” Hess said.
“On the county level, the mem
bership committee is strongly urg
ing all members of AGFA to con
tact and sign up as many new
members as possible to continue
the deep and solid foundation
between the public and the farm
ing neighborhood,” he said.
One incentive this year is to
give away commodity baskets,
consisting of produce and other
goods made and raised only in
Adams County, to three lucky
winners in a membership incen
tive drawing in January.
Products within the baskets will
be donated in part or in full by the
association’s membership, Hess
e MUK.IT DOES A BODY GOOD.'
MIDDLE ATLANTIC MILK MARKETING ASSOCIATION, INC
HYDRAULIC RETRACTABLE BOX SCRAPER
Finch Sorvloea-Hanover Inc.
SIS Frederick St.
Hanover, PA
717-632-2345
Norman D. Clark A Son, Inc.
Honey Grave, PA
717-734-3662
Loysvllle, PA
717-762-3117
Nlcerry Equipment Co.
RD 2. Rt. 61, 3 Mllee S. of Leeeport
Reading, PA
216-626-2441
I.GL Salee A Service
Box 200, Slhrardala, PA 18962
216-257-6135
[NEW JERSEY |
Owen Supply Co.
Eaat Avenue A Broad SI
Woodatown, N.J. 06096
606-766-0306
said. The AGFA Membership
Kickoff Campaign began in ear
nest with a special meeting held at
Spangler’s Truck Stop, north ol
Gettysburg, in December last
year.
The AGFA membership com
mittee includes Hess: Elmer
Smith, from the New Oxford area;
Jack Bream of Orrtahna; Evelyn
Waybright of the Barlow area; and
Herb Lady of Biglerville. “But
there’s a whole lot more people
out there in the different town
ships helping out,” Hess said.
“We are requesting members of
the organization to donate produce
or other goods as a part of the
basket to demonstrate the varied
and widely-known agricultural
products that are produced by
members of the fanning commun
ity in Adams County,” Hess said.
Anyone who would like more
information or who would like to
donate goods contact the associa
tion’s secretary, Pamela Ketter
man, at (717) 337-2845.
Adjustable tickler
tines help promote
soil to seed contact
A smooth steel roller
or solid cast iron
packer wheels firmly
pack the seed for
proper germination
For a high output,
user accessible
see the Land Pnde Solid
Pnde dealer
REAR BLADE
Caldwell Tractor A
Equipment, Inc.
480 U.S. Route 46
Faldleld, N.J. 07006
201-227-6772
Warren County Service Center
228 Route 94
Columbia, N J. 07832
201-382-6616
Rodio Tractor Saloo
North White Horae Pike
Hammonton, NJ. 08037
006-661-0141
Frank Rymon A Sona, Inc.
RD 3, Box 355
Waahlngton, N.J. 07882
201-866-1464
Reed Brothere
Petticoat Bridge Rd.
Columbua, N.J. 08022
006-267-3363
Trenton Ford New Holland
2836 Brunawlck Pke
Trenton, NJ. 06840
600003-7360
PULVERIZER