EFFECT OF CALCIUM PHOSPHORUS IMBALANCE IN THE RATION ON FLOCK PERFORMANCE IN 2 BROILER FLOCKS IN NORTH GEORGIA

Five- and six-day-old broilers from two Becks experiencing excessive m ortality were submitted for necropsy. Rickets was diagnosed based on c linical signs of lameness and on gross and histopathologic lesions. Be cause of a confirmed feed mill error, these docks had been fed a start er ration with a high calcium/phosphorus ratio (either 7.7:1 or 3.5:1) . After debate concerning the profitability of salvaging the remaining birds in the affected docks, the starter feed was replaced at 7 days of age. At processing, the affected Becks had weighted averages of bod y weight and feed conversion of 1.71 kg and 1.88, respectively; these averages compared favorably with the company averages of 1.72 kg and 1 .87. The majority of the mortality in the affected Becks occurred duri ng the first week. This case report demonstrates that it may be advant ageous for a producer to salvage chicks that have been affected severe ly with rickets at less than 1 week of age.