A Compassion Over Killing Report:
Animal Suffering in the Egg Industry
Liver Damage
Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome is "the major cause of mortality in
laying hens."(38) The disease is characterized
by excessive fat deposits and enlarged livers. Sudden death occurs among overweight
laying hens by a massive hemorrhage. This occurs as a result of excess energy
consumption, often after forced molting (see below), when caloric intake is
high, and can also be affected by excessive estrogen and certain diets. Caged
laying hens producing large numbers of eggs are the most frequently affected
by this disease.(39)
