Phosphorus Deficiency in Ducklings

20 one-day-old Tianfu ducklings were fed on a natural diet deficient in phosphorus (Ca 0.80%, P 0.366%) for three weeks and examined for signs and lesions. Signs began to appear at the age of one week, and became serious at two weeks. 13 ducklings died during the experiment. Morbidity was 100% and mortality was 65%. The affected ducklings mainly showed leg weakness, severe lameness, depression, lack of appetite and stunted growth. The serum alkaline phosphatasc activities increased markedly. The scrum phosphorus concentration, tibial ash, ash calcium and phosphorus content decreased obviously. At necropsy, maxillae and ribs were soft, and the latter was crooked. Long bones were soft and broke easily. The hypcrtrophic zone of the growth- plate in the epiphysis of long bones was lengthened and ostcoid tissue increased in the mctaphyseal spongiosa histopathologically. The above mentioned symptoms and lesions could be prevented by adding phosphorus to the natural deficient diet (up to 0.65%). The relationship be