Summary

An overview of gangrenous dermatitis, a fast-moving and often fatal bacterial disease that can cause major losses in broiler chickens and turkeys, especially at 4 to 8 weeks of age. Explains how skin injuries can allow bacteria like Clostridium and Staphylococcus to enter, with higher risk when birds are stressed or immunosuppressed and when litter is wet. Describes early warning signs, typical lesions, and rapid mortality, and outlines prevention and control steps such as reducing scratches, keeping litter conditions right, removing dead birds frequently, strengthening biosecurity, and lowering pathogen levels through cleanout or windrowing litter to reach disease-killing temperatures.