Avian cellulitis has become a significant pathological condition in broiler production, with associated economic losses from product condemnation, trimming losses, and slowed processing line speeds. Several management strategies which control bird-to-bird scratching, including reduced placement densities, increased feeder space, and prevention of excess bird stress, have been employed with some success for reducing the incidence of cellulitis. However, changing management objectives to control cellulitis may not always be economically feasible. Nutritional strategies which reduce cellulitis may be more practical or may be used in concert with management changes. Much of the research in this area has focused on supplementation of micronutrients which enhance bird immune responses and wound healing ability, thereby ameliorating cellulitis challenges. This review will focus on how supplemental vitamin E and zinc can be used to control cellulitis in broilers.
展开▼
