Introduction
A complex condition of broiler chickens with a morbidity of 1-5% and low mortality associated with rapid growth and possibly having a genetic component.
Signs
- Sitting on hock or rumps, legs extended forward.
- Use of wings to help in walking.
- May walk backwards.
Post-mortem lesions
- Anterior-posterior rotation of the bodies of the last or penultimate thoracic vertebrae resulting in scoliosis just anterior to the kidney.
Diagnosis
Symptoms, lesions.
Treatment
None.
Prevention
Selection for satisfactory conformation in primary breeding.