Lameness and leg weakness in rapidly growing turkeys associated with hip lesions

A form of epidemic lameness affecting rapidly growing broadbreasted turkeys of different breeds was investigated in 16 flocks. The condition commenced when birds were between eight and 14 weeks old and was consistenly associated with the development of lesions in the hip. Affected birds first showed leg weakness and ataxia and later chronic postural changes involving the hip. The post mortem lesions were those of inflammation, oedema, ulceration, fibrosis and complensatory hypertrophy of localised areas associated with the hip articulation. The cause was not established but the anatomical features of affected birds, their nutritional status and their apparent freedom from recognised infectious diseased are discussed.