A survey of skeletal disorders in five turkey flocks in Saskatchewan

Losses due to skeletal disorders varied from 1.8 to 6.1 percent in five flocks, varying in size from 2040 to 7033 birds, of broad breasted white tom turkeys. Very little evidence of significant air-sacculitis due to Mycoplasma meleagridis was found in hatching poults or during the growing period. Major disorders causing the losses included rickets, rotated tibia, arthritis/osteomyelitis and long bone distortion. Rickets and arthritis/osteomyelitis due to infection with Staphylococcus aureus were significant problems only in one flock each, while rotated tibia caused significant losses in three flocks. Long bone distortion was the major cause of economic loss and occurred in all flocks. Possible causes of long bone distortion are briefly discussed.