Beak trimming: a delicate operation

This operation is normally carried out for two main reasons:

to prevent feather pulling and cannibalism
to reduce feed wastage

Beak trimming is a delicate operation: only specially trained personnel should perform it. When it is improperly done, the result may be birds having difficulties with eating and drinking and unevenness in the flock.

Age of beak trimming

The decision about age of beak trimming depends mostly on the housing system:

Production in cages, in dark houses, when the intensity of artificial light is low, beaks should be trimmed at day-old or at about 10 days.
Production in cages or floor system, in open-sided houses, giving exposure to high natural light intensity, one single beak tipping at 10 days will not prevent pecking entirely. Under these conditions, beak trimming should be carried out twice: a light tipping at 10 days and then a second operation between 8 and 10 weeks of age.
Production in alternative systems that allow access to outdoor natural light areas: beak trimming should be conducted twice also as above.
In addition to technical recommendations, any codes and local regulations concerned with animal welfare should be observed.

Beak trimming at day old

The biggest advantage of beak trimming at day old in the hatchery before delivery of the chicks is that it is convenient and has quite low costs. It should be properly performed to avoid start up problems and to minimize excessive later growing out of beak.
The beak of the chick trimmed at day old is still sensitive; to ensure an easy access to drinking water in the rearing farm, it is important to use sideways activated nipples, nipple drinkers withcups or starting mini drinkers.

Main methods utilised for beak trim birds at day old are:

Robotic beak trimming machine
Laser technique

Beak trimming at 7 - 10 days

Beak trimming: a delicate operation - Image 2

Early precision beak trimming at 7-10 days has the advantage that when carried out properly, there is just a minimum effect on bodyweight development. Also it is not necessary in most circumstances to beak trimthe birds a second time in the rearing period.

Method

Choose carefully the correct diameter hole on the beak-tipping machine, so as to cut the beak at least 2 mm from the nostrils.
Hold the chick in one hand, with the thumb behind the head, holding the head firmly in position resting the beak on the forefinger
Tilt the chick’s beak upwards at an angle of 15 º above horizontal and cauterize the reinforced side edges of the beak, to avoid unequal re-growth of the 2 mandibles.
Cauterization contact time should be between 2 and 2.5 seconds
Check the temperature of the blade (600 º - 650 º C), for each operator an machine every hour

Beak trimming at 8 – 10 weeks

A late beak trimming is recommended under certain conditions, especially when light intensity can not be controlled (open-sided houses). The advantage of this method is that a very precise beak trimming can be carried out. The main disadvantage is that when it is improperly done, it can take too long for thebirds to regain bodyweight development.

Beak trimming: a delicate operation - Image 3

Beak trimming: a delicate operation - Image 3

Female where the beak has been trimmed at 8-10 weeks of age for floor housedlaying systems or in cages in naturally lit houses.

Method

Insert a finger between the 2 mandibles
Cut the beak perpendicularly at a right angle to its long axis, so that after cauterization about half of the length of the beak between the tip an de nostrils is left
Cauterize each mandible with care, particularly at the sides of the beak, so as to round off the sides of the beak and avoid lateral re-growth
Check regularly the temperature of the blade (650 º - 750 º C)

Beak trimming at transfer

A very late operation is not recommended since the pullets are very close to maturity and will have short time to recover normal feed intake and body weight. However, during transfer it is advisable to re-check the beaks and, if necessary, to touch up the beaks of any birds whichrequire it, when it is allowed by the regulations of the particular country.

Before beak trimming: attention points:

Do not beak trim birds if the flock is not in good health or if it is suffering from vaccine reactions
Add vitamin K to the drinking water 48 hours prior to trimming and after to prevent haemorrhages
Check the equipment and make sure that the trimming blade has the right temperature to cauterize but not so high to form a blister on the beak later

During beak trimming: attention points:

Operator should be installed and seated comfortably in such a way as each beak will be cut in the same manner
Do not rush the process: a too high rate (number of birds/minute) could lead to a higher chance of errors and poor uniformity.
Clean the blades with sandpaper after use of 5.000 chicks, and renew them after 20.000 to 30.000 chicks
Make sure the tongue of the bird does not get burned

After beak trimming: attention points

Increase the water level in the drinkers and the pressure in the pipes to make easy for the birds to drink
Make sure that the depth of the feed is adequate, do not empty the feeders for a week following beak trimming

Beak trimming is a very delicate operation and it is important enough to be done right.
Failure to beak trim properly can damage bird liveability and uniformity andconsequently affect negatively to overall flock performances.