[Stragglers and femoral lesions in broilers. A pathomorphologic study]

The pathomorphological features of two economically important skeletal disorders in broilers are described. So-called 'runting and leg weakness' in two-week-old broilers presents the features of rickets, whereas so-called 'lesions of the femur' in six-week-old broilers is marked by resorptive osteoporosis. Both pathomorphological features are observed during the intervening period. Hyperplastic parathyroid glands are present in all birds. The possible aetiology and pathogenesis of the two conditions are discussed. In view of the epidemiological and histopathological features, it is suggested to include the two disorders in a single syndrome in which the features of rickets, those of rickets and resorptive osteoporosis and those of resorptive osteoporosis appear in succession, and in which various clinical manifestations may be present.