BEAK TRIMMING IN CHICKS OF COMMERCIAL LAYER POULTRY BY INFRARED BEAK TREATMENT (IRBT) METHOD

BEAK TRIMMING IN CHICKS OF COMMERCIAL LAYER POULTRY BY INFRARED BEAK TREATMENT (IRBT) METHOD
Compiled, & shared by-DR. RAJESH KUMAR SINGH, (LIVESTOCK & POULTRY CONSULTANT), JAMSHEDPUR Post no 1397 Dt 10/09//2019
JHARKHAND,INDIA 9431309542, rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com

Beak trimming is the removal of part of the top and bottom beak of a bird. It is also called “debeaking”, although this term is inaccurate as only part of the beak is removed. 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 to prevent the occurrence of damaging pecking. 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.

Why is beak trimming done?

Beak trimming is performed early in the life of commercial hens to decrease injuries caused by cannibalism, bullying, and feather and vent pecking. Birds naturally peck at the environment and each other to investigate and work out where they fit into the flock (pecking order). This behaviour can become a problem in commercial situations and many deaths have been recorded among untrimmed hens. Feather pecking and cannibalism affects all birds in all production systems. When laying birds are kept in systems that give the opportunity for aggressive birds to contact many other birds, 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 mortality and morbidity problems as well as financial losses to the farmer.

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 (most common)
• 5–10 days old
• 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 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.

How is beak trimming done?

An infrared beak trimming method, using a non-contact, high intensity, infrared energy source to treat the beak tissue, is the most common method now in use. Initially the beak surface remains intact but after a few weeks the sharp hook of the beak erodes. Experiments have also been conducted using lasers for beak trimming, however this technology is not used for beak trimming on farms. A hot blade beak trimming machine, with an electrically heated blade, is another method that has been commonly used in the past, now being surpassed by infrared.

INFRARED BEAK TREATMENT IN CHICKS (IRBT)

Beak trimming has traditionally been the standard practice in the egg industry to reduce injury, pain and stress associated with aggression and feather pecking among birds. The welfare advantages of beak trimming include reduced pecking, better feather condition, less nervous behavior and decreased mortality6 .Traditionally, beak trimming has been performed using a hot blade in pullets less than 10 days of age. The hot blade process, usually performed by hand, simultaneously trims and cauterizes beak tissue, which requires skill and consistency of personnel. Efficacy and variability are major factors affecting the success of hot blade trimming. Infrared beak treatment (IRBT) technology, developed by Nova-Tech, provides an efficient, precise and fully automated alternative to hot blade beak trimming, performed in the hatchery at one day of age.

INFRARED BEAK TREATMENT (IRBT) IRBT

is performed by a machine manufactured by many companies in India. This machine also provides subcutaneous injections in the neck, which greatly reduces the human error associated with hand or individual injectors.

THE IRBT PROCEDURE:

• Chicks are placed in head holders, securing the beak through a short sheath with guard plates to protect the chick (Figures 3–4).
• Mechanical fingers hold the chick’s head securely – the period of time chicks are held is < 15 seconds1 . • Infrared beak treatment controls the amount of beak exposure and applied energy. • Prescriptive Treatment: adjustable lamp power and head holder configurations to accommodate variations in strain, flock age, uniformity and growing environment. • The infrared energy treats the beak tissue and inhibits beak regrowth. • The treated portion of the beak will appear white at first, then begin to darken after several days. • Over the next 2–3 weeks, the treated beak tip will soften and slough off gradually. • Beaks of infrared beak-treated chicks may appear slightly longer than those trimmed with a hot blade. Benefits of Infrared Beak Treatment: BENEFITS OF IRBT • Welfare-friendly procedure provided at day-of-age. • Simultaneous IRBT with day-of-age vaccinations at the hatchery reduces catching and handling stress compared to beak trimming performed at the pullet farm . • Biosecurity is improved by eliminating beak trimming crews and equipment moving between houses. • During IRBT, the chick is firmly restrained, preventing head movement and enabling a precise and reliable beak treatment . • Since the treated beak tip can take about two weeks to slough off, the changes in beak length and shape occur gradually, giving the bird time to adjust and alter feeding and drinking behaviors . • IRBT features prescriptive treatment, with interchangeable back plates, mirrors and adjustable lamp power settings. • Better precision beak trimming compared to beak trimming by crews. • Helps to avoid a second beak trimming. • Eliminates 7–10 day beak trimming, less bird stress, better pullet body weights and uniformity. Better biosecurity against disease by eliminating outside beak trimming crews and equipment moving between sheds. • Adjustable machine settings for local conditions. • Welfare-friendly procedure in hatchery.

Best Brooding Management Practices for IRBT chicks: Unrestricted access to drinking water: Use supplemental chick drinkers and 360° nipples for best water availability to chicks. Before chicks arrive, test every nipple to ensure water availability. Minimum 70 ml /nipple per minute flow rate. Correct nipple drinker height: For the first 24 hours, set nipple at chick’s eye level, after 24 hours set nipple at bird’s head level. Brooding cage paper should completely cover floor to allow easy access to feed and water. Practice paper feeding for the first few days. Provide good quality chick crumble on cage paper for 0–7 days. Fill feeders to highest level, no empty feeders. Bright lights 0-3 days, 30–50 lux. Start chicks on top cage level. Use intermittent lighting program or 22 hours of light for 0–3 days. 1 day: beak remains intact 7 days: beak tip becomes darker 2–3 weeks: beak softens and falls off 4 weeks: beak shape is rounded One day post treatment—treated beak tissue is white (vs. pink). Seven days post treatment—treated beak tissues become dark. Four weeks post treatment—rounded beak (not sharp). STARTING INFRARED BEAK-TREATED PULLETS Infrared beak treatment has been successfully used for more than a decade. Industry feedback suggests that infrared beak-treated chicks may require additional husbandry interventions during the brooding period. Unrestricted access to drinking water is a critical control point for success with infrared beak treatment. The following management suggestions are considered best practices for all chicks. FEED-------- • Start chicks on full paper in cages or the floor to promote exploration of the environment and provide better access to feed. • Place feed onto chick papers for the first seven days to encourage feed consumption. • Chicks should not have to expend much energy searching for feed during the brooding period. • Fill feeders to the highest level and adjust chick guards so the chick’s beak does not contact the bottom of the trough or chain. LIGHT----------- • Lights should be bright enough to glisten off a droplet of water hanging from the nipple to encourage exploration/drinking (30–50 lux or 3–5 footcandles). • Start chicks in top cages, or closest to the light source. • Use an intermittent light program of 4 hours light and 2 hours dark for 0–7 days to synchronize eating and drinking behavior. • Shadows in cages may delay chicks from discovering water lines. AIR-------------- • Brood chicks from younger breeder source flocks in the warmest section of the house. The top cages, or middle of the house, is often the best area for these chicks. WATER----------- • Unrestricted access to fresh, clean water is critical for any beak-treated chicks. • Use 360-degree activated water nipples, which can be activated by applying pressure in any direction and require less “practice” for a chick to learn to use. • Bi-directional (vertical pin) nipples are more difficult to use since they are activated by pushing the nipple straight up. Provide supplemental chick drinkers if using bi-directional nipples. • Clean and flush water lines between flocks to remove bio-film and calcium deposits; product options include: 1. Peroxide and peracetic acid removes scale and bio-film 2. Anthium dioxide or chlorine dioxide removes bio-film 3. Bleach disinfects most efficiently at a pH range of 5–7 4. Citric acid is not an ideal disinfectant but can be helpful to acidify water before adding bleach • Before chicks arrive, walk down the cage rows and trigger every nipple to ensure water availability for all birds. • Decrease nipple water system pressure to create hanging drop to help chicks find water for the first three days. • Set drinker height at the chicks’ eye level for the first 24 hours after placement to encourage drinking. Raise water nipples slightly above the heads of the chicks by the second day. • Water lines should be inspected daily to ensure nipples are clean of mineral build-up and flowing freely (minimum nipple flow rate of 70 ml per minute). • Birds will not consume adequate feed if not adequately hydrated. SPACE------------ • Fully line the cage floor with paper to maximize usable space. • Use supplemental chick drinkers to increase water space. Alternatives to beak trimming------- Beak trimming has been banned in some European countries and others are working towards banning the practice, following an EU welfare directive on the issue. In some production schemes, for example, ‘Freedom Food Eggs’ (UK), infrared beak treatment is permitted but not hot blade trimming. Even before the EU directive was released, research was being undertaken to identify practical, effective and affordable alternatives to beak trimming. Selective breeding strategies are underway to produce strains that are not cannibalistic. In addition, a number of nutritional, management and environmental strategies are being promoted as an alternative to beak trimming. The alternatives have some potential to be effective in various management situations, but there is no guarantee that cannibalism and feather pecking will be prevented.