Ascites or abdominal dropsy is a common disease in broiler chicken production worldwide. The economic losses resulting from it in the United States exceed $100 million, while global losses are estimated at over $500 million each year.
During the summer, temperatures rise to record levels that broiler chickens cannot withstand, especially in the advanced stages of their growth cycle. Severe increases in temperature can lead to significant mortality rates within the flock if measures are not taken to mitigate the effects of high temperatures on the birds
