Experimental rickets in broilers: gross, microscopic, and radiographic lesions. I. Phosphorus deficiency and calcium excess.

Day-old broiler chicks were fed diets high in calcium or low in phosphorus for 30 days. Chicks in both groups had similar gross, microscopic, and radiographic lesions. At 2 weeks, the growth-plate degenerating hypertrophied zone (DHZ) and metaphyseal primary spongiosa were lengthened and decreased in radiopacity. Metaphyseal vessels extended to the growth-plate hypertrophied zone (HZ), and osteoid seams were widened. At 3 and 4 weeks, lesions were similar; however, folding fractures were common and cartilage columns of the metaphysis were thinned and replaced with increased woven bone.