Instant Insights: Feather-pecking in poultry

By (author) Dr Nienke van Staaveren, Dr Alexandra Harlander, Dr Dorothy McKeegan, Dr Thea van Niekerk

Publication date:

26 January 2021

Length of book:

86 pages

Publisher

Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing

Dimensions:

229x152mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781801460149

BOOK DESCRIPTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS

This collection features three peer-reviewed literature reviews on feather-pecking in poultry.

The first chapter describes the three main forms of injurious pecking (IP) in poultry: tissue pecking (TP), aggressive pecking (AP) and feather-pecking (FP). It discusses the origin of severe FP, the most severe form of IP. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the risk factors and current management strategies used to reduce IP in poultry production.

The second chapter assesses the use of beak trimming of laying hens as an effective preventative strategy for injurious pecking (IP). It considers the welfare costs and benefits of the two different methods: hot blade (HB) and infrared (IR). The chapter concludes with a section on alternative strategies that could reduce the need for beak trimming.

The final chapter reviews the different types of featherpecking and considers the origins of this behaviour. The chapter offers a detailed discussion on the management techniques available for the prevention of feather-pecking, during both rearing and the laying period.

Chapter 1 - Cause and prevention of injurious pecking in chickens: Nienke van Staaveren and Alexandra Harlander, University of Guelph, Canada; 1 Introduction 2 Identifying the underlying causes of injurious pecking 3 Practical attempts and management strategies to reduce injurious pecking 4 Conclusion 5 Future trends in research 6 Where to look for further information 7 References
Chapter 2 - Beak trimming of laying hens: welfare costs and benefits: Dorothy McKeegan, University of Glasgow, UK; 1 Introduction 2 Feather pecking and cannibalism 3 The welfare impact of beak trimming 4 Effects of beak trimming on injurious pecking and production 5 Alternative strategies to reduce the need for beak trimming 6 Conclusions and future directions for research 7 Where to look for further information 8 References
Chapter 3 - Managing laying hen flocks with intact beaks: Thea van Niekerk, Wageningen Livestock Research, The Netherlands; 1 Introduction 2 Types of feather pecking 3 The origin of feather pecking behaviour 4 Prevention of feather pecking: rearing conditions 5 Prevention of feather pecking: laying period 6 Summary 7 Future trends in research 8 Where to look for further information 9 References