The effect of increased mineral levels in the feed on leg weakness and sudden death syndrome in broiler chickens.

In two experiments with 98,000 and 40,000 broilers on commercial broiler farms, half of each flock were fed starter, grower and finisher diets with 0.2% added calcium, 0.2% added phosphorus and 0.2% added magnesium. This ration had no significant effect on the incidence of sudden death syndrome but the incidence of leg weakness in broilers on the increased mineral ration was higher in both flocks.Approximately 28% of the mortality in both flocks was from sudden death syndrome, more than from any other condition. Approximately 20% of the mortality was associated with leg weakness.