Factors Influencing Leg Abnormalities in Poultry: A Review

SummaryLeg weakness is a problem that has plagued the poultry industry incessantly for many years. Medication costs, as well as mortality, condemnation and down-grading of poultry associated with this affliction, have resulted in considerable financial loss to the industry. As a result, research workers have attempted to find solutions to the leg disorder problem. This review discusses the studies conducted on leg abnormalities on the basis of possible aetiology including specifically, genetical, nutritional, pathological and environmental/managerial factors. Under the heading of genetics, leg weaknesses are identified as chondrodystrophy, spondylolisthesis, rickets, tibial dyschondroplasia, articular gout and bowed hocks. Likewise, nutritional factors may play a part in or cause chondrodystrophy, rickets, tibial dyschondroplasia, twisted leg and miscellaneous lameness. Specific pathogens cause such diseases as arthritis, synovitis/osteomyelitis and turkey syndrome 1965. Little research has been conducted so far on the role of environmental/managerial factors on the incidence of leg weakness.These studies indicate that substantial gains have been made towards reducing the incidence of leg disorders especially from the nutritional and pathological viewpoints. However, continued research is needed through the collaboration of geneticists, nutritionists, pathologists, physiologists and environmental/managerial specialists if the eradication of leg disorders is to become a reality.