Comparison of beak-trimming methods on early broiler breeder performance

Abstract

Beak trimming is necessary in commercial broiler breeders to prevent or decrease trauma as they mature. Two common beak-trimming methods were evaluated by early performance comparison with nontrimmed chicks (NBT). The robotic electrocautery device (ECD) trims and cauterizes the beak tip. The robotic infrared beak-trimming device (IBT) applies an infrared light beam to destroy the live basal tissue while leaving the hard corneum intact for the first approximately 10 d. In 2 experiments, day-of-hatch Ross 708 by-product chicks were obtained from a local hatchery, where 1/3 of the chicks were trimmed using IBT. All chicks were then transported to another hatchery where 1/3 were trimmed using ECD and 1/3 were NBT. Personnel at each hatchery were highly experienced and skilled with their respective technique. All chicks were then transported to University of Arkansas facilities. Before placement in each experiment, chicks were individually neck-tagged and weighed, and in experiment 1, beaks were measured using a digital caliper. A small but significant transient reduction in BW gain was observed at 14 d due to ECD as compared with NBT controls, although ECD was not different than IBT in experiment 1. In experiment 2, IBT birds were significantly heavier at 11 d by 7.8 and 8.7 g than the NBT or ECD, respectively. However, at d 21 and 42, no significant differences in BW or BW gain were observed. When beak trimming was performed on day of hatch by skilled and experienced personnel, little measurable effect on early performance was observed during the first 6 wk of life. Decreased broiler performance is generally considered a sensitive indication of physical or psychogenic stress. Given the marked reduction in beak-inflicted trauma with beak trimming birds as they reach sexual maturity, these results suggest that when properly performed, neither of these beak-trimming methods causes sufficient physical or psychogenic stress to markedly affect early growth rate.

Beak condition and cage density determine abundance and spatial distribution of northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, and chicken body lice, Menacanthus stramineus, on caged laying hens

“…Animal welfare concerns are changing how agricultural animals, including poultry, are housed and handled (Aggrey, 2010;Cheng, 2010), and beak trimming is among the key poultry welfare concerns (Glatz, 2000;Hester, 2005;Henderson et al, 2009). The relationship between beak condition and ectoparasite control in commercial poultry seems to have been overlooked among poultry scientists, although the effects in wild bird-louse interactions are well known among basic ectoparasite ecologists (Clayton et al, 2010).…”

Scientific Opinion on welfare aspects of the management and housing of the grand-parent and parent stocks raised and kept for breeding purposes

“…Gentle and McKeegan (2007) compared the effects of automated infrared treatment at one day of age, hot blade trimming at one day of age, and hot blade beak trimming at seven days of age, using no beak trimming or sham trimming as controls. This study stressed the importance of the procedure performed by trained and experienced personnel to prevent negative effects on bird welfare due to acute and chronic pain (Henderson et al, 2009). However, birds that were hot blade beak trimmed had a lower body weight until six weeks of age compared with birds that were not trimmed or sham trimmed.…”

“…When the infrared method is used for beak trimming (Henderson et al, 2009) this is carried out at the hatchery (e.g. This mutilation can be applied to one or both sexes depending on the country and local situation.…”

“…In addition, it is carried out to protect the females from injuries when the male grasps the nape of the hen during mating (Gentle and McKeegan, 2007;Henderson et al, 2009). Beak trimming in broiler breeders is carried out to reduce the incidence and severity of feather pecking and cannibalism.…”

Major welfare issues in broiler breeders

“…to prevent injuries due to feather pecking and cannibalism (Henderson et al, 2009). to prevent injuries due to feather pecking and cannibalism (Henderson et al, 2009).…”