Extracted From: A Pocket Guide to Poultry Health and Disease By Paul McMullin © 2004 Click Here to Order Your Copy

Introduction

Vitamin D deficiency or phosphorus/calcium imbalance is seen in chickens, turkeys and ducks worldwide.

Signs

• Lameness.
• Hock swelling.
• Soft bones and beak.
• Birds go off legs.
• Poor growth.
• Birds rest squatting.
• Reduction in bodyweight.

Post-mortem lesions

• Bones soft and rubbery.
• Epiphyses of long bones enlarged.
• Beading and fracture of ribs.
• Growth plates widened and disorganised.
• Beak soft.
• Parathyroids enlarged.

Diagnosis

History, signs, lesions. Differentiate from Encephalomalacia, Femoral Head Necrosis.

Treatment

Over-correct ration with three times vitamin D for 2 weeks, or Vitamin D or 25-hydroxy vitamin D in drinking water.

Prevention

Supplementation of vitamin D, proper calcium and phosphorus levels and ratio, antioxidants.