Beak trimming

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Figure 1. Hot blade beak trimmer
Figure 1. Hot blade beak trimmer
Beak trimming is the removal of part of the top and bottom beak of a bird. It is most commonly done with a heated blade (Figure 1). It is an animal husbandry practice commonly carried out in the poultry industry. Farm managers have their flocks beak-trimmed to blunt the beaks enough so that pecking cannot do any great damage (Figure 2). Re-trimming may also be carried out if a bird’s beak grows back enough to cause pecking damage. Birds are often re-trimmed at 8–12 weeks-of-age to avoid this happening. Some non-trimmed adult birds may need trimming if a pecking outbreak occurs. Recently an infrared method of beak trimming has been introduced (Figure 3). It uses a non-contact, high intensity, infrared energy source to treat the beak tissue. Initially the beak surface remains intact but after a few weeks the sharp hook of the beak erodes.
Figure 2. Beak-trimmed bird
Figure 2. Beak-trimmed bird

Contents

Why is beak trimming done?

Figure 3. Infrared beak trimming
Figure 3. Infrared beak trimming
Beak trimming is performed early in the life of commercial hens to decrease injuries caused by cannibalism, bullying, and feather and vent pecking. It can also help to reduce feed wastage. Birds naturally peck at the environment and each other to investigate and work out where they fit into the flock (peck order). This behaviour can become a problem in commercial situations and more deaths have been recorded among untrimmed hens. Feather pecking and cannibalism (Figure 4) affects all birds in all production systems. When laying birds are kept intensively in cages or in floor-based housing systems, 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 financial losses.
Figure 4. Pecked bird (cannibalism)
Figure 4. Pecked bird (cannibalism)

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
  • 5–10 days old ( most popular)
  • 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 beak 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. Hatchery staff load day old chickens onto the machine for beak treatment.

Summary

When performed correctly to industry standards, beak trimming has advantages. These include reduced:

  • Feather pecking
  • Mortality
  • Vent pecking and prolapse
  • Bullying
  • Stress on the bird

When beak trimming is not done correctly, birds can suffer from:

  1. Reduced ability to eat and drink
  2. Short and long term stress
  3. Reduced social status


Original article written by Dr Phil Glatz

Related Topics

Cannibalism

Beak Trimming Methods

Alternatives to Beak Trimming


Beak Trimming Handbook for Egg Producers

Beak Trimming Handbook for Egg Producers (CSIRO Publishing)
Beak Trimming Handbook for Egg Producers (CSIRO Publishing)
Funded through a Poultry CRC project, the Beak Trimming Handbook for Egg Producers: Best Practice for Minimising Cannibalism in Poultry has been published through CSIRO Publishing (Spiral Bound - ISBN: 0643092560 - AU $35.00).

The Beak Trimming Handbook comprises eight chapters which highlight pecking problems and cannibalism, beak trimming methods, training and Codes of Practice, welfare issues and industry views on beak trimming. There are 2-3 bulleted points at the start of each chapter to advise the reader what it is about, with a list of management checks provided at the end of each chapter. Brief supporting information to back up the management checks is given in the body of each chapter.

Further information

  • Bourke, M., Glatz, P. C., Barnett, J. L. & Critchley, K. L. (2002). Beak-trimming training manual. 1st ed., Publication no. 02/092. Kingston, ACT: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
  • Bourke, M., Glatz, P. C., Barnett, J. L. & Critchley, K. L. (2002). Beak-trimming trainer’s guidelines. 1st ed., Publication no. 02/093. Kingston, ACT: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
  • Freire, R. , Glatz, P.C. and Hinch, G. (2008). Self-administration of an analgesic does not alleviate pain in beak trimmed chickens. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 21(3): 443-448
  • Glatz, P. C. (1987). Effect of beak-trimming and restraint on heart rate, food intake, body weight and egg production in hens. British Poultry Science 28, 601.
  • Glatz, P. C. (1990). Effect of age of beak-trimming on the production performance of hens. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 30, 349.
  • Glatz, P. C., Murphy, L. B. & Preston, A. P. (1992). Analgesic therapy of beak-trimmed chickens. Australian Veterinary Journal 69, 18.
  • Glatz, P. C. & Lunam, C. A. (1994). Production and heart rate responses of chickens beak-trimmed at hatch or at 10 or at 42 days of age. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 34, 443.
  • Glatz, P. C. (2000). Beak-trimming methods – a review. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 13, 1619–37.
  • Glatz, P. C. (ed.) (2005). Poultry Welfare Issues – Beak-trimming. Nottingham, UK: Nottingham University Press.
  • Jongman, E.C., Glatz, P.C. and Barnett, J.L (2008). Changes in behaviour of laying hens following beak trimming at hatch and re-trimming at 14 weeks. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 21(2): 291-298
  • Lunam, C. A., Glatz, P. C. & Hsu, Y.-J. (1996). The absence of neuromas in beaks of adult hens following conservative trimming at hatch. Australian Veterinary Journal 74(1), 1–5.
  • Standing Committee of Agriculture and Resource Management (2004). Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals. Domestic Poultry. East Melbourne: CSIRO Publications.

See also

External links

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