Why do brown layer hens have a higher risk of Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) compared to other commercial layers?

Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) is a highly destructive metabolic disease that primarily targets caged layers. Brown layer breeds (like Lohmann Brown) have a higher genetic appetite and a larger feed capacity than white layers, making them highly prone to over-consuming energy-dense feed (corn/soy mash). When a hen consumes excess dietary energy (carbohydrates), her liver converts it into lipids (triglycerides) for transport to the yolk. If lipid synthesis exceeds the rate of fat transport, triglycerides accumulate inside the hepatocytes, causing severe fatty infiltration (steatosis). The liver becomes enlarged, yellow, greasy, and structurally fragile. When the hen strains her abdominal muscles to expel an egg during lay, the massive intra-abdominal pressure causes the fragile, fat-filled liver to rupture, leading to sudden, fatal internal bleeding. Supplementing feed with lipotropic agents (like Choline Chloride, Betaine, and Vitamin E) prevents fat accumulation. Farmers can browse hepatology guides in the Poultry Encyclopedia, buy liver-tonics on Poultry Plaza, monitor daily wholesale prices on Poultry Rates, and list healthy flocks on Murghi Mandi.