Minimising cannibalism using innovative beak trimming methods
From Poultry Hub
To reduce the incidence of cannibalism and severe feather pecking in laying hens, beaks are trimmed back early in life to prevent pecking injuries by dominant birds. Traditionally, this has been done with an electrically heated blade to remove part of the upper and lower beak and prevent regrowth. Understandably, this technique has drawn criticism from a welfare perspective. Alternative forms of beak trimming have been examined to minimise the possibility of birds suffering from chronic pain from damaged nerves in the trimmed beak and interference to their normal behaviours (such as preening).
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Investigating innovative beak trimming methods
The following information is based on the Final Report for Poultry CRC Project 04-20: Minimising cannibalism using innovative beak trimming methods. This project:
- conducted anatomical studies to evaluate neuromas (swollen entangled nerve mass which results from cutting of nerves after trimming) in birds trimmed using HB or infrared (IR) methods;
- assessed the effect of the industry practice of either 10 day old hot blade (HB) or day old infra-red (IR) beak trimming methods on beak condition, production, mortality and pain; and
- investigated the use of lasers as an alternative method of beak trimming.
Anatomical studies evaluating neuromas
Both HB and IR methods produced neuromas but no sensory receptors were observed in the beak at any age after the use of either method. IR trimming resulted in the formation and retention into adulthood of neuromas irrespective of the eventual beak length.
Beak condition
IR trimming produces superior results for beak condition (appearance and shape), from day-olds to mid-lay but from then on is similar to HB trimming. However, IR trimmed birds had longer upper beaks. On-farm, both methods produced considerable variation in beak condition and length.
Production
There was no discernable difference in egg quality or egg production between HB and IR trimmed birds. IR trimmed birds had a higher body weight through lay and a lower egg weight. Infra-Red trimmed birds also had better feather coverage than HB trimmed birds.
Mortality
Mortality levels for IR trimmed birds in cage and free range / barn systems are within industry standards, suggesting its suitability for use in industry. As IR trimmed birds have neuromas present irrespective of beak length, this may reduce pecking behaviour and therefore mortality.
Pain
Self-administration of an analgesic in feed does not alleviate pain in beak trimmed birds. The analgesic used may relieve neuromuscular pain but not neuropathic pain associated with beak trimming.
Laser beak trimming
Scalable continuous wave lasers, ranging from the deep IR to visible light wavelengths, appear capable of burning through the beak to the growth point using modest lasers at modest powers. The potential advantages of laser beak trimming are the reduction in blood loss and pain as the laser can seal blood vessels and nerve endings during trimming.
Implications from the research
- There is a need to improve the consistency of beak trimming for both the HB and IR methods;
- Mortality of layers trimmed with the IR method is relatively low but further development is required to reduce the incidence of neuromas;
- There is a need to practice HB trimming at day old to overcome neuroma formation and chronic pain; and
- Both IR and HB trimmed pullets do not consume more analgesic feed than un-trimmed pullets, indicating that either the pain from beak trimming is not excessive or, more likely, that the analgesic is ineffective for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
For more information, contact the Poultry CRC.
