Pattern of vascular canals in the bone extremities of the pelvic appendicular skeleton in broiler type fowl.

Broiler fowls were reared from hatching till 20 weeks old. Birds were killed throughout the growth period and the bone extremities of the pelvic appendicular skeleton prepared for study. The patterns of vascular canals in these broiler fowls were very similar to earlier reports in laying strain fowls. There was a great range of and variation in the vascular morphology of broiler fowl. The physeal vasculature of the rapidly growing broilers was frequently disrupted, and such areas were often associated with dyschondroplastic lesions. The rapidly growing bone extremities in broiler fowls were susceptible to occlusion of epiphyseal vascular canals. lesions were frequently seen at similar sites in different specimens. Links are suggested between the growth rate, weight and behavioural characteristics of broiler fowls and the development of lesions.