1 DefinitionCellulitis is inflammation under the skin, inthe tissue between the skin and the underlyingmuscle. The cellulitis that is seen in broiler chick-ens at the processing plant is caused by a localizedbacterial infection, almost always Escherichia coli(E. coli or coliforms). The bacteria get under theskin through injuries (usually scratches from thetoe nails of other chickens). Because the infectionis localized and occurs most frequently under theskin of the posterior abdomen,it rarely causes ill-ness. It is difficult to see in live birds but is obvi-ous following scalding and defeathering.
展开▼
