Sudden death syndrome  is also called flip over, it occurs mostly in broiler chickens. The cause is uncertain, but it may be a metabolic disorder due to over eating that predisposes birds to cardiac arrest. Affected birds die suddenly and have no specific gross lesions. 

It can be induced by lactic acidosis and about 70% of birds affected are males.

Signs

• Sudden death in convulsion, most are found lying on their back.
• Intestine filled with feed.
• Haemorrhages in muscles and kidneys.
• The atria of the heart have blood, the ventricles are empty.
• Serum accumulation in lung (may be little if examined shortly after death).
• Livers heavier than those of pen-mates (as a percentage of bodyweight).

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Diagnosis

Birds found on back with lack of other pathology.

Treatment

No treatment

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Prevention

Lowering carbohydrate intake (change to mash), feed restriction, lighting programmes, low intensity light, use of dawn to dusk simulation and avoidance of disturbance.

A higher incidence has been noted in flocks fed wheat-based diets compared with those on maize diets.

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