Avian Production Management

DEBEAKING

Debeaking/Beak trimming

• To avoid feed wastage, the chicks are to be debeaked. Their beaks have to be cut short by electrical cauterization
• Debeaking if carried out properly may be done only once during fourth week. It may also be performed at the end of second week and repeated at 12-14^th week. The upper beak has to be cut 2/3^rd and the lower beak 1/3^rd portion. The cut portion has to be cauterized by touching on the hot plate. The tongue should be carefully held back
• Undertake debeaking during cooler parts of the day
• Provide anti-stress B-complex vitamins and vitamin K in drinking water before, during and after the day of debeaking; adjust the feeder and waterer height to be lower than before to suit the shortened beak
• Engage experienced persons to perform debeaking, to do it properly with lesser stress and to avoid the necessity for repetition. Since layer chicks are comparatively more active, they tend to peck at each other’s back (cannibalism), cause injury and death also. Debeaking helps to prevent such instances