The development of pneumatisation in the postcranial skeleton of the domestic fowl
Hogg, D.A.
Journal of Anatomy 139: 105-113
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-8782 PMID: 6469850 Document Number: 227328
The development of pneumatization in the postcranial skeleton was investigated in a flock of golden comet pullets from hatching to 182 days posthatching. The timing of development of pneumatization in the vertebral column, vertebral ribs, sternum and humerus was demonstrated. No pneumatization was encountered in the sternal ribs, coxae or coracoid. Development of pneumatization in the coracoid and humerus was also studied in a flock of White Leghorn pullets and cockerels from hatching to 126 days posthatching. In this group, regular pneumatization of the humerus occurred after the time of onset and the coracoid was frequently pneumatized unlike the golden comets. The rate of development of pneumatization in the humerus was more rapid in White Leghorn pullets than in cockerels and also more rapid than in golden comet pullets.