Developmental disorders of the skeleton in Black Storks (Ciconia nigra)

A case report is presented about Black Storks showing a disturbed skeleton growth due to faults in feeding. The signs of this disorder were an increas ing thickening in the area of the distal tibiotarsus and proximal tarsometa tarsus. The storks were fed exclusively with one-day-old chicks, sprats and beef. A supplementation with minerals or vitamins was not carried out. In general the ration was characterized by an excessive high protein content a s well as an insufficient manganese content. Due to this analysis data and the clinical signs the diagnosis "slipped tendon" (perosis) was made.