Rickets in chickens, with special reference to its nature and pathogenesis

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Abstract
As evidence of the existence of rickets in the chicken the ash % or Ca and P content of the bones is of little value. Examination shows 2 histologically quite distinct conditions of bone, associated with faulty Ca and P metabolism: (1) osteoporosis associated with deficient Ca in the food or with its deficient absorption (the latter remediable by cod-liver oil administration), and (2) rickets brought about by deficient P in the diet or its faulty absorption caused usually by excess Ca in the diet (both remediable by cod-liver oil administration). Osteoporosis and rickets in birds and mammals are essentially the same etiologically and histologically. Osteoporosis due to essential Ca want may occur when there is abundant Ca in the food. It is an open question whether in the fowl healthy Ca metabolism can exist without a supply of vit. D in some form. "Perosis" or slipped tendon in chickens is regarded as being occasioned by feeding in excess, CaO in chemical union with P2O5 as Ca3(PO4)2.