Gizzard erosion (small brown "stripes" in the lining of the gizzard) appear occasionally in young chicks. The phenomena is for the first time extensively described in the 1930's, but is mentioned in publications already in the beginning of that century.

It is often observed in young chicks, but it can already be observed in unhatched chicks, when a break out is performed on hatch debris. Usually it dissappears around 7 to 10 days of age. Although it is obviously a lesion, it doesnt seem to have a major impact on the bird, as often production perfomance is normal.

The phenomena is not always observed in the same flocks and at the same levels. In certain periods it seem to be observed more, whereafter it seems to dissappear again.

The cause of this phenomena is not really understood. Breed, rearing programs, feed programs in production, breeder and/or broiler feed, mycotoxin levels  in feed, incubation profiles, vaccination programs, hatching egg storage time and - condition, hatching egg quality and - hygiene and other factors do not seem to be a main cause, although it cannot be excluded that they will play a role in a multi factorial cause for the disease. 

Recently some publiciations indicate that viral infections and than especially adenovirus infections might play a role in it.