Dr. Sarendi Walling
What is debeaking?
Debeaking is a method of removing the tip part of chicken’s beak. In this process 1/3rd part of the upper beak is trimmed off while the lower is trimmed at the tip portion only. Debeaking is carried out between one day and 6 weeks of age. Debeaking may be repeated from time to time as their beak usually grows back just like our fingers and toenails do. Debeaking is only done in chickens that are reared in confinement like cages or deep litter and not in free range chickens as it is not required.
How to debeak chickens
Chickens can be debeaked using an electric trimming machine where the beak is trimmed off with an electrically heated blade thus preventing bleeding and infections. It can also be done with a sterilized sharp scissor to trim the beak and after which a flat iron rod which was pre heated over an oven should be pressed on the peak to stop bleeding and infections. An iodine solution can be applied on the beak after dipping it with a piece of cotton. The lower portion of the beak is also trimmed with the same procedure. Care should be taken not to trim more than the recommended portion of beak as more bleeding may happen. Care should also be taken not to cut the tongue off in the process as well as not to burn the tongue while pressing with the hot iron.
Some advantages of debeaking
a) Toe picking is reduced
b) There is less stress in the flock as they do not fight or pick one another
c) It prevents feather picking and cannibalism
d) Feed wastage is prevented
e) Uniformity of the birds in the flock is maintained in terms of growth and production.
f) When beaks are trimmed the hens do not pick on their own eggs or others’ and thus prevents them from eating it.
Conclusion
Debeaking if followed correctly can save a lot of trouble to poultry farmers from chickens picking on each other. When chickens pick on each other the skin and flesh are bitten off making the birds unattractive to sell in the market. In extreme cases there will be mortality due to infections from the wounds. Egg eating is also another loss to the farmers as the chickens eat their own eggs as well as others’. Egg eating may be developed due to cracks in eggs or due to thin shells and once they taste the egg it will become a regular habit. Apart from debeaking, the poultry farmers should follow proper stocking density by avoiding overcrowding and by reducing the light intensity in chicken houses to prevent cannibalism to some extent. Following debeaking correctly will prevent a huge loss to the poultry farmers and increase the income at the end.
Submitted by-
Dr. Sarendi Walling
ACTO (Animal Science)
Krishi Vigyan Kendra
Mokokchung