Rate of Growth as a Factor in the Incidence of Gizzard Erosion in Chicks

SINCE the original observations of Dam on the occurrence of gizzard erosion in chicks fed on vitamin K deficient diets many workers have given attention to the problem of the origin and prevention of gizzard erosion. The histological studies of Lansing, Miller, and Titus (1939), conducted on some 7,000 chicks of from a few hours to several weeks old have given a clear picture of the nature and occurrence of gizzard erosion. These studies show that gizzard erosion may be present in the newly hatched chick, that the condition may take several weeks to clear up after the chicks are placed on a curative diet, and that the primary cause of gizzard erosion is hemorrhage in the glandular layer of the gizzard. From these studies it is apparent that the anti-hemorrhagic vitamin is a potent factor in the occurrence of this condition. It is further obvious that its occurrence in . . .