Performance of Commercial Laying Hen Submitted to Different Debeaking Methods

Abstract

Among the several factors required in breeding laying hens, debeaking is a factor that interferes with batch performance and affects animal welfare. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate three different debeaking procedures and to verify the best technique to be used. For this, the performance of the birds, the incidence of cannibalism, and in rearing phase, the quality of the eggs were evaluated. Dekalb White birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments, T1 (infrared radiation debeaking) T2 (hot blade debeaking) and T3 (V debeaking).The data was submitted to Analysis of Variance and compared by Tukey's test (95%), using statistical software R. The frequencies of mortality and cannibalism were submitted to the ChiSquare test (Software R). It was observed that mortality was lower with IR debeaking in the breeding phase. Already in the rearing phase, the mortality was similar between the debeaking techniques and the cannibalism was null. The final mean weight (g), mean weight gain (g) and average daily weight gain in the rearing and egg quality variables were higher for V debeaking when compared to other techniques. It is concluded that V-debeaking provides better bird performance, resistance and shell thickness when compared to the infrared radiations and hot blade debeaking, in addition to subjecting the birds to less stress.

Beak trimming and stocking densities for laying and performance traits and behavioral patterns in Japanese quails

“…Research about stocking density and debeaking effects in cages showed improvement in egg production and lower decreased when increasing available area per bird (Oka et al, 2017). In the present study, because higher and lower densities did not affect (p>0.05) most performance para- meters, egg quail production with density up to 237.5 cm²/bird could be recommended.…”

Comparison between infrared and hot-blade beak trimming methods in white and brown pullets: performance, organ and bone development

“…Vieira Filho et al (2016) obtained similar results when evaluating infrared and conventional debeaking, describing higher weights in infrared beak trimmed birds. Oka et al (2017) compared infrared and conventional methods and found better body development in infrared radiation debeaked birds. Dennis and Cheng (2010) investigated the characteristics related to production and stress in birds subjected to both beak trimming methods and noted infrared debeaking consists in a more welfare-friendly method, directly or indirectly improving body development and production.…”

“…Beak trimming is widely practiced in the poultry industry (Gonçalves et al, 2010;Oka et al, 2017), usually twice, with the first one being done between eight and 10 days of life, and the second one between eight and 10 weeks of age. Generally, the first debeaking is deeper, in a 2-4mm spacing between the cut and the bird's nostrils, and the second cut is generally is 5-8mm spaced.…”