Research note: relationship of comb color to liver appearance and fat content in Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens

Abstract

A flock of commercial Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens, diagnosed as having fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS), was surveyed to ascertain the relationship between comb color and selected FLHS characteristics. Twenty-eight hens with and without pale combs were selected from 14 cages for paired comparisons. Hens with pale combs had a higher (P less than or equal to .05) liver score and relative liver weight than hens with normal combs. Differences were not detected in BW, comb weight, relative comb weight, liver fat and plasma estrogen concentration. In flocks diagnosed with FLHS, comb appearance is associated with a higher incidence of FLHS.