layer farming

Beak Trimming in Layer Hens : A Good Management Tool to Prevent Cannibalism & better FCR

July 16, 2023

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Beak Trimming in Layer Hens : A Good Management Tool to Prevent Cannibalism & better FCR

Debeaking, also called beak trimming, is a partial removal of the beak of poultry, especially layer hens, when layer hens are confined to a chicken house, farmers generally trim their beaks to prevent them from pecking (and possibly hurting) one another. While the term debeak implies that the entire beak is removed, in fact usually less than a third of the upper beak is trimmed, and not the whole beak. The purpose of doing this is to prevent feather pulling and cannibalism and to reduce feed wastage. It is a delicate operation, and if it is improperly done, it may leads to difficulties in drinking and eating, which directly leads to poor growth, unevenness in flock and even mortality as a result blood loss.

Beak trimming(debeaking) is a routine management practice performed in the poultry industry including laying hens, broiler breeders, turkeys, and ducks. Beak trimming is the removal of approximately one quarter to one third of the upper beak, or both upper and lower beak of a bird (Gentle et al., 1995). The beak of a laying hen is well innervated and contains nociceptors (sensation of pain), thermo-receptors (sensation of temperature), and mechanoreceptors (sensation of pressure and texture) (Gentle et al., 1989). Beak trimming therefore results in pain and sensory loss (Gentle, 2011). Beak is a sensitive tool generally used for grasping of food, preening, nest building, exploring objects in the environment, dust bathing and social interaction. beak trimming is generally performed with the purpose of reducing cannibalism and delaying the sexual maturity for optimum egg production. Beak trimming causes reduction in feed intake, Body weight gain, mortality, and affects some production parameters, such as feed conversion efficiency, the net effect of which is usually positive on profitability.The relative effect of beak trimming on bird well-being is influenced by multiple factors, including the proportion of beak tissue removed (Cheng, 2005). Beak trimming reduces feed intake, BW, mortality, and affects some production parameters, such as feed conversion efficiency, the net effect of which is usually positive on profitability..

Historical development of Beak trimming

History started when Paring of the tip of the top beak and beak burning was done by Kennard, 1920 then gas torch by T. E. Wolfe in the San Diego county in California followed by W.K. Hopper used tinner’s soldering iron in Ohio Experiment Station in the 1930s. Thereafter Lyon Electric Company took some modification in it and developed the very first – “debeaker” in 1942, followed by Sundaresen and Jayaprasad, 1979 in India.

Why Is Beak Trimming Done?

Beak trimming is performed early in the life of commercial hens to decrease injuries caused by cannibalism, bullying, and feather and vent pecking. Birds naturally peck at the environment and each other to investigate and work out where they fit into the flock (pecking order). This behaviour can become a problem in commercial situations and many deaths have been recorded among untrimmed hens. Feather pecking and cannibalism affects all birds in all production systems. When laying birds are kept in systems that give the opportunity for aggressive birds to contact many other birds, cannibalism and feather pecking can spread rapidly through the flock and result in injuries and mortality. Mortality of up to 25–30% of the flock can occur and cause huge mortality and morbidity problems as well as financial losses to the farmer.

When Is Beak Trimming Done?

Beak trimming is carried out at various ages depending on the preference of the farm manager. The most common ages for birds to be beak-trimmed are:

Day-old (most common)
5–10 days old
4–6 weeks
8–12 weeks
Touch up trim of adult birds (mainly in alternative systems)

Who Does Beak Trimming?

Hot blade beak trimming is performed by contract teams, individual farmers and some large poultry companies. The majority of birds are trimmed by contract teams. Birds must be beak-trimmed by an accredited beak-trimmer to ensure that nationally agreed standards are maintained and the welfare of the birds is not compromised. The infrared treatment machine is installed by the supplier and leased by hatcheries. It is monitored and controlled by the supplier via a communication system and on-site computer.

How Is Beak Trimming Done?

An infrared beak trimming method, using a non-contact, high intensity, infrared energy source to treat the beak tissue, is the most common method now in use. Initially, the beak surface remains intact but after a few weeks, the sharp hook of the beak erodes. Experiments have also been conducted using lasers for beak trimming, however, this technology is not used for beak trimming on farms. A hot blade beak trimming machine, with an electrically heated blade, is another method that has been commonly used in the past, now being surpassed by infrared.

Advantages of Debeaking

Beak trimming not only stops a chicken from pecking one another. It also promotes excessive mortality in egg production and most significantly, the vicious habit of cannibalism.
Numerous studies have backed up beak trimming, suggesting that it is beneficial to the pullet production criteria.
Also, this practice is effective when it comes to the reduction of feed consumption as well as the improvement of feed efficiency.
Beak trimming can also delay sexual maturity in your flock. Most importantly, it improves egg production because it minimizes cases of hens eating their own eggs.
Chicken debeaking will promote a positive attitude in your flock. This is true especially in breeds of chickens such as White Leghorn where it reduces the loss of feathers by preventing pecking and fearfulness.
Taking into account the practice of beak trimming at the right time can help minimize some problems in your bird’s future life. Which could affect the performance of your birds in general?

Disadvantages of Debeaking

Contrary to the positive contributions brought about by chicken debeaking. Animal welfare groups have criticized the practice, claiming that it is inhuman. The groups further explain that by trimming your birds’ beaks. You are inflicting pain to them and this can have a negative impact on their wellbeing.
Even though beak trimming to solve many problems among poultry. The practice is also destructive in one way or the other. Your flock could show visible physical damage as a result of debeaking.
This process causes wounds to the birds, leading to bleeding from their beaks. The wounded areas can affect the feeding habits of your chickens. This can promote pecking from other birds due to the presence of open wounds around their beaks.
There are stories of excessive beak trimming. This could cause permanent impairment to the beak functionality. One should use lot of care when performing beak trimming. This will protect your birds against injuries and possible impairment.
Insufficient beak trimming can lead to beak regrowth. This means that you will have to subject your bird to yet another session of debeaking. Which is painful, costly and stressful to the affected chickens.

Rules in Debeaking or Beak Trimming

Beak-trimming (Debeaking) Practices & Welfare Issues in Commercial Layers

Before beak trimming:

Do not debeak birds if the flock is not in good health or if it is undergoing from vaccine reactions.
Add Vitamin K to the drinking water 48 hours prior to trimming and after to prevent haemorrhages.
Check the equipment and make sure that the trimming blade has the right temperature to cauterize, but not so high to form a blister on the beak later.

During beak trimming:

The operator should be installed and seated comfortably in such a way that each beak will be cut in the same manner.
Do not rush the process: a too high rate (number of birds/minute) could lead to a higher chance of errors and poor uniformity.
Clean the blades with sandpaper after use of 5,000 chicks or birds.
Make sure the tongue of the bird is not burned.

After beak trimming:

Increase the water level in the drinkers and the pressure in the pipes to make it easy for the birds to drink.
Make sure that the depth of the feed is adequate. Do not empty the feeders for a week following beak trimming.
It is important to give birds anti-stress or multivitamins before and after the operation so as to reduce the stress effect on the birds’ performance.

It is highly beneficial to debeak poultry birds to reduce mortality due to pecking, and wastage of feed to save cost.

Methods of Beak Trimming

Hot Blade Method– Heated blade which is often mechanized is used for trimming Claimed as most accurate method. Dark (dull) red heat temperature of 650-750°C, ‘guillotine’-type, blade that both cuts and cauterizes the beak tissue when birds are 5 to 10 days old.
Bio/Electric beak-trimming-Main target of this method is burn a hole in the upper beak at a point just beyond the horny projection so that tip of beak will die. Bio beaker used a high voltage arc (1500 Volt AC electric current) across two electrodes to burn a small hole in the upper beak of chickens in 0.25 second with capacity of 2000/hr.
Mechanical method– A simple blade or scissor device, such as secateurs, is used to trim the beak. This limits damage to the exact area of the cut may be the most precise method. These mechanical methods rely on human precision instead of machines and, therefore, may produce variable results.
Infra-red Method– Here non-contact, high intensity, infrared energy source i.e. laser beam is used to cut the beaks with a laser beam in day-old chickens. Qualified endorsement by the British Farm Animal Welfare Council as a preferred choice in terms of animal welfare because of absence of open wound (Farm Animal Welfare Council, 2007). The period of time they are held is short (approximately 15 seconds) and the restraint is firm.

Age of beak trimming
The most common ages for birds to be beak-trimmed are:
* Day-old
* 5–10 days old
* 4–6 weeks
* 10–12 weeks
Touch up trim of adult birds.

Advantages

Beak trimming improves feed efficiency and enhances the living environment.
• Minimizes aggressive pecking to the wattles, combs, feathers, feet, and vent regions. Ultimately, it minimizes the need for the culling of chickens.
• Beak trimming reduces feed intake and delays the sexual maturity and avoids feed wastage.
• Trimming of beak will increases egg production.
• Beak trimming reduces clinical welfare indicators such as plumage condition, keel bone fractures, keel bone deviations, skin wounds, and foot injuries.

Disadvantages

Beak-trimming may lead to unnecessary pain and loss of sensory function.
• Hens must adapt to a new beak form and therefore, feeding behavior is altered (i.e., the bird’s ability to consume feed is impaired).
• Beak trimming causes open wounds and bleeding, resulting in inflammation. Following healing, the tip stump may regrow and develop various irregularities in shapes and form scar tumors (Neuromas).

Hot Blade Beak Trimming Versus Infrared Beak Treatment

	Hot Blade Beak Trimming		Infrared Beak Treatment
	Advantages	Disadvantage	Advantages	Disadvantages
Biosecurity		Beak trimmers move from farm to farm-potential biosecurity issues with personal hygiene and equipment cleanliness.	Equipment located in a clean hatchery. Staff maintain high levels of biosecurity.
Bird catching		Birds can be stressed from catching and restraint on the farm.
Equipment set up	Different set up for equipment when beak trimming different ages of bird, shed type or location.	Equipment located in the hatchery.	Settings adjusted easily using a keypad on the processor
Trimming	Experienced operators can judge the amount of beak to remove. Accurate beak trimming minimises problems later in bird’s life.	Physical damage to the birds while being handled for beak-trimming. Exposed cauterised wound. Potential for bleeding from the beak. Excessive beak trimming can impair beak function. Insufficient beak trimming results in beak regrowth.	A predetermined amount of beak tissue is exposed to a defined amount of infrared energy. The exposed tissues remain intact and there are no open wounds or blood loss.	Restrained by head on an automated carousel for 15 seconds. Excessive energy can damage soft tissues and impair beak function. Insufficient beak treatment results in beak regrowth and the need to re-trim. Dark pigmentation in the beak can lead to split beaks.
Retrimming	Birds can be re-trimmed at any age with the hot blade.			Re-trimming can only be performed with a hot blade.
Quality of beak trimming	Quality assurance checks on beaks have been documented in an accreditation program referred to in the Australian Code of practice for Domestic Poultry.		In-house quality assurance program developed.	Quality assurance program needs inclusion in the Australian Code of Practice for Domestic Poultry.
Records	Records kept on beak trimming quality and bird performance.		Records kept on beak trimming quality and bird performance.
Evaluation	Beak trimmers and farmers evaluate the performance of birds after trimming.		In house records of beak treatment and bird performance.
Summary	Open wound, re-trimming commonly practised to control pecking.		No open wounds; more reliable treatment, beak condition superior. If beaks regrow re-trimming required with a hot blade to avert cannibalism.

Alternatives To Beak Trimming

Beak trimming has been banned in some European countries and others are working towards banning the practice, following an EU welfare directive on the issue. In some production schemes, for example, ‘Freedom Food Eggs’ (UK), infrared beak treatment is permitted but not hot blade trimming. Even before the EU directive was released, research was being undertaken to identify practical, effective and affordable alternatives to beak trimming. Selective breeding strategies are underway to produce strains that are not cannibalistic. In addition, a number of nutritional, management and environmental strategies are being promoted as an alternative to beak trimming. The alternatives have some potential to be effective in various management situations, but there is no guarantee that cannibalism and feather pecking will be prevented.

Genetic Selection

There are large differences in feather pecking and mortality in strains indicating the potential for developing commercial strains that require less severe beak-trimming or no trimming at all. Selection for low mortality reduces the propensity of birds to develop feather pecking and cannibalism. Molecular technology has the potential for improving welfare by manipulating genes involved in the control of pecking behaviour.

Light control

Chickens have colour vision and different colours and light levels affect chicken behaviour. Green and blue light improves growth and lowers the age of sexual maturity, while red, orange and yellow light increases the age of sexual maturity and red and orange light increase egg production. Birds are calmer in blue light. For many years it was the practice to brood and rear chickens under red light to prevent cannibalism, based on the concept that red light makes it difficult for a potentially cannibalistic bird to see red blood vessels and blood on other birds. Currently, the most useful method to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism is to house birds under very dim white light. The birds cannot see each other well which is thought to reduce aggressive behaviour among them. This requires light proof shedding, however low light levels can cause eye abnormalities.

Use of devices to restricting vision and beak use

The use of spectacles (fitted to the nares of birds) controls feather pecking. It only allows birds to look to the side or down but not directly ahead. Spectacles can only be put on birds of pullet size or larger, cannot be used in cages and are easily dislodged. Red contact lenses have been used for layers as an alternative to beak-trimming. They cause eye irritation, eye infections, and abnormal behaviour and are not retained well. Bitting devices have been developed for use in game birds, which are held in place by lugs inserted in the nares. The use of fitted devices as a preventative measure against feather pecking is not permitted in many countries.

Environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment aims to increase desirable behaviours, reduce harmful ones, sustain the birds’ long-term interest, and enable them to cope with challenges. Enrichment involves increasing environmental complexity to encourage birds to interact with their environment.

Practical enrichment devices to minimise feather pecking

A wide range of objects can be fitted to cages to enrich the environment for poultry. The ‘Agrotoy’ (blue plastic frame with red and blue moving parts) reduces aggression and mortality in caged layers. Likewise, a small silver bell was found to attract pecking. Cereal based ‘Peckablock’ also reduced the amount of aggressive behaviour. Adult laying hens will peck at bunches of plain white propylene string, which reduces both gentle and severe feather pecking.

Enriched rearing facility

Less feather pecking in layers is seen if farmers do their own rearing, provide sufficient perch space, adequate drinkers and provide high quality litter. Stimulating use of the range Infrequent and uneven use of the hen run is one of the main problems in all free range systems for laying hens. Birds do not feel safe in an open unroofed run area. When the range has cover, trees or hedges, birds are more evenly distributed and risk of feather pecking is reduced.

Use Of Anti-Pick Compounds

Applying anti-pick compounds (commercial anti-pick, pine tar or axle grease) to wounded areas reduces pecking. Likewise treating the everted vent of hens suffering vent trauma with a stock wound spray can prevent other birds pecking at the vent. Incidence of vent trauma can be reduced by raising flocks of birds with an even body weight. A range of predator scents and other agents are being considered for use as repellents against predators and may have application to prevent feather pecking in layers.

Nutrition

The main strategy to prevent feather pecking is to provide an adequate substrate. Substrate conditions during the rearing period affect the development of feather pecking. Use of scratch grain is recommended. During the rearing period, placing semi-solid milk blocks in the house, hanging green leafy vegetables and spreading grass clippings can prevent feather pecking. An adequate amount of insoluble fibre in the layer diet is important for minimising the outbreak of cannibalism in chickens. Millrun, oat hulls, rice hulls and lucerne meal are effective sources of fibre. The physical properties of the fibre modulate the function of the gizzard making the birds calmer. Providing adequate calcium, manganese, arginine, zinc, protein, sulphur amino acids (methionine and cysteine), trytophan, B group vitamins, thiamine and dietary electrolytes minimises pecking mortality.

Beak Abrasives

Abrasive materials applied to the feed trough may enable the bird to blunt the hooked end of the beak while feeding and reduce the effectiveness of pecking. The beak blunting technique can be applied to growing pullets and during the laying period. Utilising the blunting procedure early in the rearing period may prevent the formation of the hooked end of the beak.

Alternatives to Beak Trimming

In some countries, beak trimming is banned and producers are forced to go for alternative measures to prevent cannibalism and other antagonistic behaviours. These alternatives include reducing light intensity so that birds can hardly see each other. This is only possible in houses where light can easily be controlled. Genetic manipulation, nutritional amendments like feeding of high fibre diet may lead to reduce cannibalism. The birds are introduced to enrichment devices at an early age. Enrichment devices are anything the birds can play with. others are use of spectacles, contact uses, use of hormones etc. Despite considerable, research, there is no acceptable alternative to beak trimming as a means of preventing pecking damage that is not also contentious.

Conclusion
Beak-trimming is currently considered to be a necessary management practice for poultry. But the future of beak trimming remains uncertain; however, research suggests that alternatives are available that would address much of the welfare concerns without resulting in radical or inefficient management changes. Thus it may be concluded that beak trimming is effective management tool to minimize cannibalism and following feed restriction programme to delay puberty and optimizes egg production for economic poultry production.