Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-07T04:24:16.423Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Beak trimming egg-laying strains of chickens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

P.Y. Hester  and
M. Shea-Moore
P.Y. Hester*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2042, USA
M. Shea-Moore
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS Livestock Behavior Research Unit, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2042, USA
*
*Corresponding author: email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Bird behaviour, production, physiological measurements of stress, and pain as indicated by neural transmission in, and anatomy of the trimmed beak have been used as criteria to determine if beak trimming compromises bird well being. In addition, the welfare of those hens that are pecked by beak-intact hens has been evaluated. The welfare of a flock is assessed by mortality, incidence of cannibalism, feathering, and flock behaviour such as fearfulness or nervousness. Disadvantages of beak trimming include short-term and perhaps long-term pain, and short-term stress following beak trimming. Because feeding behaviour must adapt to a new beak form, a bird's ability to consume feed is impaired following beak trimming. Welfare advantages include reduced pecking, feather pulling, and cannibalism; better feather condition; less fearfulness and nervousness; less chronic stress; and decreased mortality. It appears that the welfare disadvantages are applicable to individual birds whose beaks are trimmed, while the welfare advantages are more applicable to the interactive flock. Behavioural evidence suggests that primary breeders of egg laying strains can select for more docile birds and minimize the need to beak trim. Therefore, using genetic stocks that require little or no beak trimming is the most desirable approach. However, under certain management systems (e.g., exposure to high intensity natural lighting) and with some genetic stocks, beak trimming is needed to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. When employed, beak trimming should be conducted at 10 days of age or younger by trained personnel.

Keywords

beak trimmingchickensegg-type strainsstressbehaviourproductionneural transmissioncannibalism
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 59 , Issue 4 , December 2003 , pp. 458 - 474
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Journal Paper No. 17054 of the Purdue University Agricultural Research Programs, West Lafayette, IN 47907

References

Adams, R.L. (1992) Effect of red plastic lenses on egg production, feed per dozen eggs, and mortality of laying hens. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 1: 212–220.Google Scholar
Anderson, K.E., and Davis, G.S. (1997) Performance and fearfulness during the production phase of Leghorn hens reared utilizing alternative beak trimming methods. Poultry Science 76: (Suppl. 1): 2(Abstract).Google Scholar
Andrade, A.N. and Carson, J.R. (1975) The effect of age and methods of debeaking on future performance of White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Science 54; 666–674.Google Scholar
Arulswaminathan, V.S. (1996) Cannibalism in poultry. Poultry Advisor pages 12–13.Google Scholar
Bauermann, J.F. (1959) An investigation of the effect of debeaking on feed wastage and fertility of Single Comb White Leghorns. Poultry Science 38: 1189 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Beane, W.L., Siegel, P.B. and Dawson, J.S. (1967) Size of debeak guide and cauterization time on the performance of Leghorn chickens. Poultry Science 46: 1232 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Bell, D.D. (1967) Cage density and debeaking methods. Pacific Poultryman July issue.Google Scholar
Bell, D. (1996) Can egg producers afford to not beak trim their flocks? 45th Western Poultry Disease Conference, 05 1–5.Google Scholar
Bell, D.D. and Kuney, D.R. (1991) Effect of beak trimming age and high fiber grower diets on layer performance. Poultry Science 70: 1105–1112.Google Scholar
Bell, D.D. and Little, T.M. (1966) Cage density as it relates to debeaking methods. Poultry Science 45: 1069 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Blokhuis, H.J., Van der haar, J.W. and Koole, P.G. (1987) Effects of beak trimming and floor type on feed consumption and body weight of pullets during rearing. Poultry Science 66: 623–625.Google Scholar
Blokhuis, H.J. and Wiepkema, P.R. (1998) Studies of feather pecking in poultry. The Veterinary Quarterly 20: 6– 9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bourke, E., Glatz, P., Barnett, J. and Critchley, K. (2002) Beak trimming training manual: A resource to support the training of beak trimmers in the egg industry. (Munroe, A., Ed.) Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Hurstville NSW 1481, Australia.Google Scholar
Bourke, E., Glatz, P., Barnett, J., Critchley, K. and Gorman, I. (2002) Beak trimming trainer guidelines: A resource to support workplace trainers in the egg industry. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Hurstville NSW 1481, Australia.Google Scholar
Bramhall, E.L. (1962) 6–day–old debeaking. Pacific Poultryman 06 issue, Pages 14 & 67 (popular article).Google Scholar
Bramhall, E.L. (1963) Early precision debeaking, Pacific Poultryman September issue, Pages 17 & 45 (popular article).Google Scholar
Bramhall, E.L. (1976) Precision debeaking of week–old chicks, 09. Division of Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Leaflet 2655.Google Scholar
Bramhall, E.L. and Little, T.A. (1966) Layer performance as affected by debeaking method and cage density. Poultry Science 45: 1072 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Bramhall, E.L. and Little, T. (1968) Debeaking and cage density. Animal Nutrition & Health pages 16 and 18 (popular article).Google Scholar
Bray, D.J., Ridlen, S.F. and Gesell, J.A. (1960) Performance of pullets debeaked at various times during the laying year. Poultry Science 39: 1546–1550.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Breward, J. (1984) Cutaneous nociceptors in the chicken beak. Proceedings of the Journal of Physiology London 346: 56P.Google Scholar
Breward, J. (1985) An electrophysiological investigation of the effects of beak trimming in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus). Ph.D. thesis, University of Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Breward, J. and Gentle, M.J. (1985) Neuroma formation and abnormal afferent nerve discharges after partial beak amputation (beak trimming) in poultry. Experentia 41: 1132–1134.Google Scholar
Carey, J.B. (1990) Influence of age at final beak trimming on pullet and layer performance. Poultry Science 69: 1461–1466 Google Scholar
Carey, J.B. and Asher, R. (1992) Beak trimming: no free lunch. Egg Industry January/February; issue, pages 31–33.Google Scholar
Carey, J.B. and Lassiter, B.W. (1995) Influences of age at final beak trim on the productive performance of commercial layers. Poultry Science 74: 615–619.Google Scholar
Carson, J.R. (1975) The effect of delayed placement and day-old debeaking on the performance of White Leghorn hens. Poultry Science 54: 1581–1584.Google Scholar
Cooper, J.B. and Barnett, B.D. (1967) Effect of growing regimen and cannibalism control measures on performance of White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Science 46: 1443–1447.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Craig, J.V. (1992) Beak trimming benefits vary among egg–strain pullets of different genetic stocks. Poultry Science 71: 2007–2013.Google Scholar
Craig, J.V., Craig, J.A. and Milliken, G.A. (1992a) Beak trimming effects on beak length and feed usage for growth and egg production. Poultry Science 71: 1830–1841.Google Scholar
Craig, J.V. and Lee, H.Y. (1989) Research note: Genetic stocks of White Leghorn type differ in relative productivity when beaks are intact versus trimmed. Poultry Science 68: 1720–1723.Google Scholar
Craig, J.V. and Lee, H.-Y. (1990) Beak trimming and genetic stock effects on behavior and mortality from cannibalism in White Leghorn-type pullets. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 25: 107–123.Google Scholar
Craig, J.V. and Muir, W.M. (1991) Research note: Genetic adaptation to multiple-bird cage environment is less evident with effective beak trimming. Poultry Science 70: 2214–2217.Google Scholar
Craig, J.V. and Muir, W.M. (1993) Selection for reduction of beak-inflicted injuries among caged hens. Poultry Science 72: 411–420.Google Scholar
Craig, J.V. and Muir, W.M. (1996) Group selection for adaptation to multiple-hen cages: Beak-related mortality, feathering, and body weight responses. Poultry Science 75: 294–302.Google Scholar
Craig, J.V., Winkler, W.S.M. and Milliken, G.A. (1992 b) Research note: Effects of beak trimming and genetic stock on rate of mash consumption and feeding-related behavior in egg-strain pullets. Poultry Science 71: 1959–1962.Google Scholar
Cunningham, D.L. (1992) Beak trimming effects on performance, behavior, and welfare of chickens: A review. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 1: 129–134.Google Scholar
Cunningham, D.L. and Mauldin, J.M. (1996) Cage housing, beak trimming, and induced molting of layers: A review of welfare and production issues. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 5: 63–69.Google Scholar
Deaton, J.W., Lott, B.D., Branton, S.L. and Simmons, J.D. (1987) Research note: Effect of beak trimming on body weight and feed intake of egg-type pullets fed pellets or mash. Poultry Science 66: 1552–1554.Google Scholar
Desserich, M., Folsch, D.W. and Ziswiler, V. (1984) Das Schnabelkupieren ber Huhnern, Ein Eingriff un innervierten Bereich. Tierarztliche Praxis 12: 191–202.Google Scholar
Desserich, M., Ziswiler, V. and Folsch, D.W. (1983) Die sensorische Versogung des Huhnerschnabels. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 90: 799–807.Google Scholar
Devor, M. and Rappaport, Z.H. (1990) In: Pain Syndromes in Neurol., edited by Fields, H.L., Butterworths, London, p. 47.Google Scholar
Dubbeldam, J.L., Bout, R.G. and De bakker, M.A.G. (1993) An analysis of the trigeminal branches in the beak of normal chickens and after beak trimming, with some behavioral observations. European Journal of Neuroscience, Supplement 6: 57 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Dubbeldam, J.L., De Bakker, M.A.G. and Bout, R.G. (1995) The composition of trigeminal nerve branches in normal adult chickens and after debeaking at different ages. Journal of Anatomy 186: 619–627.Google Scholar
Dubbeldam, J.L. and Den Boer-visser, A.M. (1993) Immunohistochemical localization of substance P, enkephalin and serotonin in the brainstem of chicken, with emphasis on the sensory trigeminal system. Verhandlungen der Anatomischen Gesellschaft 88: 7–8.Google Scholar
Duncan, I.J.H., Slee, G.S., Seawright, E. and Breward, J. (1989) Behavioural consequences of partial beak amputation (beak trimming) in poultry. British Poultry Science 30: 479–488.Google Scholar
Eskeland, B. (1977) Behaviour as an indicator of welfare in hens under different systems of management, population density, social status and by beak trimming. Scientific report no. 45 of the Agricultural University of Norway 56: 1–20.Google Scholar
Eskeland, B. (1981) Effects of beak trimming. In: Danish Branch of the World's Poultry Science Association, First European Symposium on Poultry Welfare (Sorensen, Y., Ed), pp. 193–200.Google Scholar
Eskeland, B., Bjørnstad, S. and Hvidsten, H. (1977) Effect of population density, group size, housing system and beak trimming on production performance of hens in cage and pen. Meld. Nor. Landbrukshogsk (Scientific Reports of the Agricultural University of Norway) 56, No. 6, 40 pages.Google Scholar
Ferst, C.N. and Ruszler, P.L. (2001) The effect of claw and beak reduction on growth parameters and earfulness of two Leghorn strains. Poultry Science 80: (suppl 1): 89.Google Scholar
Fried, K. and Frisen, J. (1990) End structure and neuropeptide immunoreactivity of axons in sciatic neuromas following nerve section in neonatal rats. Experimental Neurology 109: 286–293.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J. (1986 a) Beak trimming in poultry. World's Poultry Science Journal 42: 268–275.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J. (1986 b) Neuroma formation following partial beak amputation (beak trimming) in the chicken. Research in Veterinary Science 41: 383–385.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J. (1990) The initial responses of peripheral sensory afferents to extensive trauma. Neuroscience Letters S38: 32.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J. (1991) The acute effects of amputation on peripheral trigeminal afferents in Gallus var domesticus . Pain 46: 97–103.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J. (1992) Pain in birds. Animal Welfare 1: 235–247.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J., Hughes, B.O., Fox, A. and Waddington, D. (1997) Behavioural and anatomical consequences of two beak trimming methods in 1- and 10-d-old domestic chicks. British Poultry Science 38: 453–463.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J., Hughes, B.O. and Hubrecht, R.C. (1982) The effect of beak trimming on food intake, feeding behavior and body weight in adult hens. Applied Animal Ethology 8: 147–159.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J., Hunter, L.N. and Waddington, D. (1991) The onset of pain related behaviours following partial beak amputation in the chicken. Neuroscience Letters 128: 113–116.Google Scholar
Gentle, M.J., Waddington, D., Hunter, L.N. and Jones, R.B. (1990) Behavioural evidence for persistent pain following partial beak amputation in chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 27: 149–157.Google Scholar
Gernat, A.G. (1991) Effects of the hens to nipple ratio, age at beak trimming, and level of protein in layer ration on the productivity of several commercial strains of egg-type hens. Ph.D. dissertation, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.Google Scholar
Glatz, P.C. (1987) Effects of beak trimming and restraint on heart rate, food intake, body weight and egg production on hens. British Poultry Science 28: 601–611.Google Scholar
Glatz, P.C. (1990) Effect of age of beak trimming on the production performance of hens. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 30: 349–355.Google Scholar
Glatz, P.C. (2000 a) Beak trimming methods-review. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 13: 1619–1637.Google Scholar
Glatz, P.C. (2000 b) Review of beak trimming methods. A Report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Publication No. 00/72, Barton, ACT, Australia. http://www.ridc.gov.au.Google Scholar
Glatz, P.C. and Lunam, C.A. (1994) Production and heart rate responses of chickens beak trimmed at hatch or at 10 or 42 days of age. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 34: 443–447.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Glatz, P.C., Lunam, C.A., Barnett, J.L. and Jongman, E.C. (1998) Prevent chronic pain developing in layers subjected to beak trimming and re-trimming. A Report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Australia, 06.Google Scholar
Glatz, P.C., Murphy, L.B. and Preston, A.P. (1992) Analgesic therapy of beak trimmed chickens. Australian Veterinary Journal 69: 18.Google Scholar
Gottschaldt, K.M. (1985) Structure and function of avian somatosensory receptors. In: Form and Function in Birds, Vol. 3 (King, A.S. and McLelland, J., Eds), Academic Press, London, pp. 375–461.Google Scholar
Guidelines for Poultry Husbandry (1999) Chapter 8 In: Guide fur the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching, 1st revised edition. Federation of Animal Science Societies, p 62.Google Scholar
Hargreaves, R.C. and Champion, L.R. (1965) Debeaking of caged layers. Poultry Science 44: 1223–1227.Google Scholar
Hartini, S., Choct, M., Hinch, G., Kocher, A. and Nolan, J.V. (2002) Effects of light intensity during rearing and beak trimming and dietary fiber sources on mortality, egg production, and performance of ISA brown laying hens. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 11: 104–110.Google Scholar
Hughes, B.O. and Gentle, M.J. (1995) Beak trimming of poultry: its implication for welfare. World's Poultry Science Journal 51: 51–61.Google Scholar
Hughes, B.O. and Michie, W. (1982) Plumage loss in medium-bodied hybrid hens: the effect of beak trimming and cage design. British Poultry Science 23: 59–64.Google Scholar
Jones, R.B., Blokhuis, H.J. and Beuving, G. (1995) Open-field and tonic immobility responses in domestic chicks of two genetic lines differing in their propensity to feather peck. British Poultry Science 36: 525–530.Google Scholar
Kathle, J. and Kolstad, N. (1996). Non-beaked laying hens housed in aviaries I: Production performance in cages and three types of aviaries. Norwegian Journal ofAgricultura1 Sciences 10: 413–424.Google Scholar
Kjaer, J.B. and Sørensen, P. (1997) Feather pecking behavior in White Leghorns, a genetic study. British Poultry Science 38: 333–341.Google Scholar
Kuney, D.R. and Bell, D.D. (1982) Effects of beak trimming method and cage density on laying hens. Progress in Poultry through Research. University of California Cooperative Extension, May issue. No. 24.Google Scholar
Kuo, F.-L., Craig, J.V. and Muir, W.M. (1991) Selection and beak trimming effects on behavior, cannibalism, and short-term production traits in White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Science 70: 1057–1068.Google Scholar
Lee, K. (1980) Long term effects of Marek's disease vaccination with cell-free herpes virus of turkey and age at debeaking on performance and mortality of White Leghorns. Poultry Science 59: 2002–2007.Google Scholar
Lee, H.-Y. and Craig, J.V. (1990) Beak trimming effects on the behavior and weight gain of floor-reared, egg-strain pullets from three genetic stocks during the rearing period. Poultry Science 69: 568–575.Google Scholar
Lee, H.-Y. and Craig, J.V. (1991) Beak trimming effects on behavior patterns, fearfulness, feathering, and mortality among three stocks of White Leghorn pullets in cages or floor pens. Poultry Science 70: 211–221.Google Scholar
Lee, K. and Reid, I.S. (1977) The effect of Marek's disease vaccination and day-old debeaking on the performance of growing pullets and laying hens. Poultry Science 56: 736–740.Google Scholar
Lunam, C.A., Glatz, P.C. and HSU, Y-J. (1996) The absence of neuromas in beaks of adult hens after conservative trimming at hatch. Australian Veterinary Journal 74: 46–49.Google Scholar
Maizama, D.G. and Adams, A.W. (1994) Effect of beak trimming, blade temperature, and age at beak trimming on performance of two strains of egg layers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 3: 69–73.Google Scholar
Mcintosh, J.I., Slinger, S.J., Sibbald, I.R. and Ashton, G.C. (1962) The effects of three physical forms of wheat on the weight gains and feed efficiencies of pullets from hatching to fifteen weeks of age. Poultry Science 41: 438–445.Google Scholar
Megret, S., Rudeaux, F., Faure, J-M. and Picard, M. (1996). The role of the beak in poultry. Effects of debeaking. INRA Production Animals 9: 113–119.Google Scholar
Mench, J.A. (1992). The welfare of poultry in modern production systems. Poultry Science Review 4: 107–128.Google Scholar
Mielnik, M., Craig, J.V. and Milliken, G.A. (1992) Research note: Beak trimming and holding time effects on fearfulness of pullets as estimated by tonic immobility. Poultry Science 71: 391–394.Google Scholar
Morgan, W. (1957) Effect of day-old debeaking on the performance of pullets. Poultry Science 36: 208–210.Google Scholar
Muir, W.M. (1996) Group selection for adaptation to multiple-hen cages: Selection program and direct responses. Poultry Science 75: 447–458.Google Scholar
Robinson, D. (1979) Effects of cage shape, colony size, floor area and cannibalism preventatives on laying performance. British Poultry Science 20: 345–356.Google Scholar
Ruszler, P.L., Honaker, C.F. and Novak, C.L. (2002) The effect of population density, beak and claw trimming on egg production of two strains of Leghorns. Poultry Science 81: (suppl 1): 34.Google Scholar
Savory, C.J. and Hetherington, J.D. (1996) Would plastic anti-pecking devices be an acceptable alternative to beak trimming for controlling pecking problems in laying hens? British Poultry Science 37: S25– S26 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Siegel, H.S. (1995) Stress, strains and resistance. British Poultry Science 36: 3–22.Google Scholar
Slinger, S.J. and Pepper, W.F. (1964) Effects of debeaking and feeding whole grain on the reproductive performance of pullets. Poultry Science 43: 356–362.Google Scholar
Slinger, S.J., Pepper, W.F. and Sibbald, I.R. (1962) The effects of debeaking at eight weeks of age on the grit consumption, weight gains and feed efficiencies of growing pullets. Poultry Science 41: 1614–1615.Google Scholar
Strong, C.F. Jr., Benoff, F.H. and Reynnells, R.D. (1982) Effects of beak trimming on layer house performance. Spec. Rep. No. 246, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.Google Scholar
Struwe, F.J., Gleaves, E.W. and Douglas, J.H. (1992 a) Stress measurements on beak-trimmed and untrimmed pullets. Poultry Science 71: 1154–1162.Google Scholar
Struwe, F.J., Gleaves, E.W., Douglas, J.H. and Bond, P.L. Jr., (1992b) Effect of rearing floor type and ten-day beak trimming on stress and performance of caged layers. Poultry Science 71: 70–75.Google Scholar
Sundaresan, K., Jayaprasad, I.A. and Kothandaraman, P. (1979) The effect of debeaking at different stages on the growing performance of White Leghorn pullets. Cheiron 8: 149–152.Google Scholar
Swanson, M.H., Bell, D.D. and Johnston, G.W. (1972) Effects of debeaking method and cage density on layer performance. In: Proceedings of the University of California Poultry Institute, University of California, Cooperative Extension, Riverside, California, pp 13–17.Google Scholar
United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines for us. Egg laying Flocks (2002) Alpharetta, GA, p 4.Google Scholar
Van liere, D.W. (1995) Responsiveness to a novel preening stimulus long after partial beak amputation (beak trimming) in laying hens. Behavioural Processes 34: 169–174.Google Scholar
Van rooijen, J. and Blokhuis, H.J. (1990) The quality of beak trimming. Proceedings of Summer Meeting Societies for Veterinary Ethology, Pistoia, Italy, p. 115.Google Scholar
Wall, P.D. (1979) On the relation of injury to pain. Pain 6: 253–264.Google Scholar
Workman, L. and Rogers, L.J. (1990) Pecking preferences in young chicks: Effects of nutritive reward and beak trimming. Applied Animal Behavior Science 26: 115–126.Google Scholar
Yannakopoulos, A.L. and Tserveni-Gousi, A.S. (1986) Egg shell quality as influenced by 18-day beak trimming and time of oviposition. Poultry Science 65: 398–400.Google Scholar