Minor beak trimming in chickens leads to loss of mechanoreception and magnetoreception1

Freire, Rafael; Eastwood, Michelle; Joyce, Marianne

doi:10.2527/jas.2010-3129

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(32 reference statements)

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“…This may point to the single-domain receptors described in the nasal region (e.g., Beason and Nichols 1984, Beason and Brennan 1986; Williams and Wild 2001), but it appears highly unlikely that the externally applied anesthetic could have reached them. The observation that young chickens with the tip of their beak removed, as routinely done in the poultry industry, were impaired in locating a magnetic anomaly (Freire et al 2011) also suggests a position of the receptors further in front of the beak.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The magnetite-based receptors in the beak of birds and their role in avian navigation

Wiltschko

2012

J Comp Physiol A

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Iron-rich structures have been described in the beak of homing pigeons, chickens and several species of migratory birds and interpreted as magnetoreceptors. Here, we will briefly review findings associated with these receptors that throw light on their nature, their function and their role in avian navigation. Electrophysiological recordings from the ophthalmic nerve, behavioral studies and a ZENK-study indicate that the trigeminal system, the nerves innervating the beak, mediate information on magnetic changes, with the electrophysiological study suggesting that these are changes in intensity. Behavioral studies support the involvement of magnetite and the trigeminal system in magnetoreception, but clearly show that the inclination compass normally used by birds represents a separate system. However, if this compass is disrupted by certain light conditions, migrating birds show ‘fixed direction’ responses to the magnetic field, which originate in the receptors in the beak. Together, these findings point out that there are magnetite-based magnetoreceptors located in the upper beak close to the skin. Their natural function appears to be recording magnetic intensity and thus providing one component of the multi-factorial ‘navigational map’ of birds.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The magnetite-based receptors in the beak of birds and their role in avian navigation

Wiltschko

2012

J Comp Physiol A

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“…Instead, beak trimming led to impaired function of the magnetoreceptors and mechanoreceptors of the beak (Freire et al, 2011). In a recent study, it was shown that hot-blade beak trimming at the day of hatching in layingstrain chicks did not result in pain (measured until 9 days of age).…”

Section: Beak Trimming or Partial Amputation Of The Beakmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a recent study, it was shown that hot-blade beak trimming at the day of hatching in layingstrain chicks did not result in pain (measured until 9 days of age). Instead, beak trimming led to impaired function of the magnetoreceptors and mechanoreceptors of the beak (Freire et al, 2011).…”

Section: Beak Trimming or Partial Amputation Of The Beakmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific report updating the EFSA opinions on the welfare of broilers and broiler breeders

Jong

Berg

Butterworth

et al. 2012

EFS3

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The EFSA AHAW panel is requested to develop several scientific opinions concerning animal based measures to assess the welfare of livestock animals. The main objective of this report is to review the broiler welfare literature to identify gaps and potential areas to strengthen and update three SCAHAW and EFSA opinions: i) The welfare of chickens kept for meat production (broilers) (SCAHAW, 2000), ii) Influence of genetic parameters on the welfare and resistance to stress of commercial broilers (EFSA, 2010), iii) Welfare aspects of the management and housing of the grand-parent and parent stocks raised and kept for breeding purposes (EFSA, 2010). The literature review was done by a group of authors and reviewers, under the supervision of an editorial team. A large number of new scientific references are quoted. Regarding the first and oldest opinion, this review presents 47 amended and new conclusions. In addition, it suggests twelve new recommendations and proposes a list of hazards. Especially the paragraphs on behavioural restriction, light, stocking density and environmental enrichment are updated with new information from a large number of new scientific references. Regarding the second opinion, nine new conclusions are proposed. Recommendations of the previous EFSA report are further supported by new information, and one new recommendation is a suggestion to further study the role of incubation conditions on welfare issues such as gait abnormalities, thermal discomfort and ascites. A limited number of new hazards are proposed. Regarding the third opinion, four new conclusions are proposed. Recommendations of the previous EFSA report are also in this case further supported by new information. One new recommendation is a suggestion to further study the impact of management on forced mating behaviour. A couple of new hazards are proposed.

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“…Studies have given neurological evidence that the beak trimming procedure itself can cause both acute and chronic pain of hens. Furthermore, adverse impacts on the beak function and sensitivity limit the freedom of expression of normal behaviors [12] . A general ban on beak trimming already exists in European Union countries.…”

Section: Introduction mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism by providing layer breeders with nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating

Shi¹,

Zheng²,

Tu³

et al. 2018

International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

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Colony cages for natural mating have been applied on many layer breeder farms. However, feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism are considered as prominent problems for these systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects on feather pecking and vent pecking behaviors by providing layer breeders with nest boxes (0.90 m L × 0.40 m W × 0.60 m H) in colony cages for natural mating (4.80 m L × 1.20 m W × 0.71 m H). Video recording and artificial observation were adopted. The results showed that the usage of nest boxes gradually increased from the beginning of nest boxes providing at the age of 37 weeks to the end of the experiment at the age of 55 weeks. The utilization rates of nest boxes were 36.75%, 44.75% and 50.38% at the ages of 41 weeks, 47 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively. The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed significantly more frequent gentle feather pecks (both given and received) than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 41 weeks, 47 weeks and 53 weeks. A decreasing trend of gentle feather pecking frequency (both given and received) was found with the increasing age for both the two groups. No significant difference was found in the number of given or received severe feather pecks at the age of 41 weeks. The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed a significantly higher frequency of given and received severe feather pecks than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 47 weeks and 53 weeks (p<0.05). Both cannibalistic injury occurrence and mortality rate in the cages with nest boxes were significantly lower than those in the cages without nest boxes. In conclusion, providing nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating could decrease abnormal pecking behaviors and improve animal welfare conditions of layer breeders.Citation: Shi H P, Zheng W C, Tu J, Li B M. Reducing feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism by providing layer breeders with nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating.

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Minor beak trimming in chickens leads to loss of mechanoreception and magnetoreception1

Cited by 24 publications

References 17 publications

The magnetite-based receptors in the beak of birds and their role in avian navigation

The magnetite-based receptors in the beak of birds and their role in avian navigation

Scientific report updating the EFSA opinions on the welfare of broilers and broiler breeders

Reducing feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism by providing layer breeders with nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating

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